UK and US Hit Record Low in Corruption Ranking
sweep something under the rug: to hide a problem or mistake instead of dealing with it honestly
Britain and the United States have both fallen to their lowest positions ever in a global corruption ranking. Experts say this is part of a worrying pattern in many democracies.
The ranking comes from Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. It measures how corrupt business leaders believe a country’s public sector is. In 2025, the UK dropped to 20th place with a score of 70 out of 100. The US fell to 29th place with a score of 64, its lowest score ever. Denmark ranked first for the eighth year in a row, while South Sudan and Somalia ranked last.
Transparency International said record spending in UK elections had “supercharged” dependence on rich donors. In the US, the group pointed to government pressure on independent voices such as journalists and NGOs.
Transparency International also explained that corruption is often hidden. It usually becomes public only after scandals or investigations. Critics say leaders cannot sweep serious problems under the rug. If trust continues to fall, the damage could last for many years.
Sample sentences
The school cannot sweep bullying under the rug anymore. Parents are demanding real action to protect their children.
The company could not sweep the safety problem under the rug after workers spoke to the media.
He learned that it is better to fix a small problem early than to sweep it under the rug and face a bigger one later.
Origin
The expression comes from the idea of cleaning a house quickly. Instead of using a dustpan to remove dirt properly, a person might hide the dirt under a rug where no one can see it.
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