It's polite to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Meaning: This means that when you cough or sneeze, you should put your hand or a tissue over your mouth to stop the germs from spreading to other people.

Choice of Words: Cover means to put something over something else to hide or protect it. Mouth is the opening in your face that you use to speak and eat. Cough and sneeze are bodily functions that can spread germs. When you "cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze," you are preventing the spread of germs to others.

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Related Expressions