Tag Archives: ignoring

Idiom of the day

Give someone the cold shoulder

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of deliberately ignoring or treating someone with aloofness, indifference, or hostility, often as a way of expressing disapproval, rejection, or displeasure towards them. It implies refusing to engage or interact with someone, typically in a manner that is unfriendly or dismissive.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder for days.”
  2. “He tried to start a conversation with her, but she gave him the cold shoulder and walked away.”
  3. “They invited her to the party, but she gave them the cold shoulder and didn’t even acknowledge their presence.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “give someone the cold shoulder” is uncertain, but it likely originated from literal actions of serving a cold shoulder of meat to an unwanted guest or disregarding someone’s request for warmth or hospitality. Over time, the phrase evolved into a metaphorical expression used to describe the act of snubbing or rejecting someone socially or emotionally. It emphasizes the idea of deliberately ignoring or excluding someone from social interaction as a means of expressing disapproval or disdain

give someone the cold shoulder
Idiom of the day

Turn a blind eye

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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:

  1. “The manager decided to turn a blind eye to the employee’s habitual tardiness because they were a top performer.”
  2. “Despite knowing about the corruption within the company, the CEO chose to turn a blind eye to it in order to maintain profits.”
  3. “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.