tɜːrn ə blaɪnd aɪ
Body Parts
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Using an eye that cannot see
What does "turn a blind eye" mean?
- To deliberately ignore something
- To pretend not to notice wrongdoing
Examples
- The manager turned a blind eye to the violations.
- We can't turn a blind eye to this problem.
- They turned a blind eye to the corruption.
Origin
Attributed to Admiral Nelson who put his telescope to his blind eye to ignore a signal to retreat at Copenhagen in 1801.
How to use it
Often implies willful ignorance or complicity. Can be criticism or necessity.
Similar expressions
ignore
overlook
pretend not to see
disregard
Opposites
notice
address
confront
acknowledge
Related idioms
- keep an eye on
To watch or monitor something carefully
- heart of gold
A very kind, generous, and caring nature
- caught red-handed
Caught in the act of doing something wrong
- keep your chin up
To stay positive and not be discouraged
- wrap your head around something
To understand something complex
- all ears
Listening attentively and eagerly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "turn a blind eye" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.