Cover up one's mistake

HUBLOTIs it correct to say "cover his mistake" to mean "cover up his mistake"?

Not quite. 'Cover' can also mean 'compensate for', so it is somewhat ambiguous there.

Thank you, MM.

Is it okay to say "cover over his mistake"?

HUBLOTIs it okay to say "cover over his mistake"?

Less idiomatic, and again slightly different, as a 'covering' of some sort is expected.

Thanks a lot, MM.

- cover one's mistake
- cover over one's mistake
- cover up one's mistake
Can all of these mean "to compensate for one's mistake"?

HUBLOTCan all of these mean "to compensate for one's mistake"?

No, the last two do not at all.

Thanks a lot, MM.

- cover over one's mistake
- cover up one's mistake
Can these two only mean "to hide one's mistake"?

HUBLOTCan these two only mean "to hide one's mistake"?

Yes.

(Have I contradicted myself anywhere in this thread?)

MM,

No, you haven't.

You wrote: 'Cover' can also mean 'compensate for'...

The "cover" above is "cover" in "cover one's mistake," not in "cover up one's mistake," isn't it? I just wanted to make sure of that.

HUBLOTThe "cover" above is "cover" in "cover one's mistake," not in "cover up one's mistake," isn't it? I just wanted to make sure of that.

Yes, that's what I meant.

Thanks a lot, MM.