turn a blind eye

/tɜːrn ə blaɪnd aɪ/
idiom★Intermediate— to deliberately ignore something◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To deliberately ignore or overlook something, especially something wrong or problematic.
Literal Meaning
To physically close one eye and not see something.
Literal Breakdown
turnto rotate or change direction+a blind eyean eye that cannot see
◇ Mental Image
The image of someone physically closing one eye to avoid seeing something, symbolizing a deliberate act of ignoring.
◈ When to Use
A supervisor notices an employee violating company policy but chooses not to take action, effectively turning a blind eye to the misconduct.
◉ Cultural Note
The phrase is often associated with Admiral Horatio Nelson, who famously turned a blind eye to a signal to attack during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, allowing him to continue his own strategy.
informal

To deliberately ignore or overlook something, especially something wrong or problematic.

The teacher turned a blind eye to the students' cheating during the exam.

The teacher ignored the students' cheating during the exam.

The government turned a blind eye to the human rights violations in the region.

The government deliberately overlooked the human rights violations.

💡

This idiom is often used to describe a conscious decision to ignore something that should be addressed.

Related Phrases

look the other wayidiom
to ignore something deliberately
bury one's head in the sandidiom
to avoid dealing with a problem

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in situations where someone has the power or responsibility to address an issue but chooses not to.

⚡Gold Rule

Connotation

The phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is avoiding their responsibilities.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from the naval practice of turning a blind eye to the enemy's ships to avoid confrontation. It was popularized by Admiral Horatio Nelson, who famously turned a blind eye to a signal to attack during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a deliberate act of ignoring something that should be acknowledged or addressed.

English Dictionary