fig leaf

• POS: Noun Phrase

CIDE DICTIONARY

fig leaf,  

•  The leaf from a fig tree.  [PJC]
•  An ornamental design shaped like the leaf of a fig tree, used in architecture; also, a design shaped like a fig leaf to cover genitalia in sculpture or paintings -- in reference to the biblical story in Genesis of Adam and Eve, who covered their privates with fig leaves.  [PJC]
•  Anything used to conceal what is considered embarrassing or indecent. See sense 2.  [PJC]