ˈberi jɔr hed ɪn ðə sænd
- Literally:
- To put one's head into sand
What does "bury your head in the sand" mean?
- To ignore obvious problems or dangers
- To refuse to acknowledge an unpleasant reality
Examples
- You can't bury your head in the sand about the company's financial problems.
- She buried her head in the sand about her health issues.
- Stop burying your head in the sand and face reality.
Origin
Based on the false belief that ostriches bury their heads in sand when frightened. While ostriches don't actually do this, the myth has created this powerful metaphor for willful ignorance, used since the 17th century.
How to use it
Always implies criticism of avoidance behavior. Common when discussing problems people refuse to acknowledge.
Similar expressions
Opposites
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "bury your head in the sand" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.