Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of deliberately ignoring or overlooking something, typically a wrongdoing or undesirable situation. It implies a conscious decision to not acknowledge or address something, often out of indifference, tolerance, or a desire to avoid confrontation.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “The manager decided to turn a blind eye to the employee’s habitual tardiness because they were a top performer.”
- “Despite knowing about the corruption within the company, the CEO chose to turn a blind eye to it in order to maintain profits.”
- “Parents sometimes turn a blind eye to their children’s misbehavior because they don’t want to deal with the consequences.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “turn a blind eye to” can be traced back to a famous incident involving Admiral Horatio Nelson during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. As the story goes, Nelson, facing a signal to withdraw from the battle, reportedly held a telescope to his blind eye and remarked that he didn’t see the signal. This act of willful ignorance allowed him to continue the battle and ultimately achieve victory. While the historical accuracy of this account is debated, the phrase “turn a blind eye” gained popularity and entered common usage as a metaphor for ignoring or disregarding something intentionally. Today, it is a widely recognized idiom used to describe the act of ignoring or overlooking a situation.