turn a blind eye
/ˌtɜːn ə ˌblaɪnd ˈaɪ/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
to ignore something that you know is wrong
Examples
- 1Teachers can't turn a blind eye to bullying, even when it happens outside school.
- 2The manager turned a blind eye when staff left early on Fridays.
- 3Mum usually turns a blind eye when our rooms are messy, but not when guests are coming.
- 4For years the club turned a blind eye when members parked on the grass, despite the signs.
- 5The café owner kindly turns a blind eye if a regular customer is a few pence short.
Grammar
Only turn changes form: turned, turning. The thing ignored follows to; the phrase is also used alone.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about the body
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →give someone a handto help someone, especially with a practical jobpull your legto joke with someone by telling them something untruea pain in the necka very annoying person or thingon the tip of your tonguealmost remembered, but not quiteoff the top of your headfrom memory, without checking or thinking for longkeep your fingers crossedto hope that something will go well
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
