bury one's head in the sand

bury one's head in the sand is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression bury one's head in the sand is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "bury one's head in the sand"

Meaning

The English phrase “bury one’s head in the sand” is used to describe a person who is trying to ignore a difficult situation or difficult truth. By burying their head in the sand, the person is essentially trying to avoid the problem and pretend it doesn’t exist. They are essentially pretending to be unaware or unconcerned with the issue in order to avoid dealing with it.

Etymology

The phrase “bury one’s head in the sand” dates back to the 14th century. It was first used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales, in which he wrote “And many a man so feble of nature, To mannes oppinioun, that he dar nat take, Ne wol he seen a soore, but ley it shake, Or elles brynge him in a sorwefull mote, To berye his heved in a clooth of swote.” His use of the phrase was intended to describe a man who was so afraid or worried that he would bury his head in a cloth of sweetness, in order to not see the problem.

Usage

The phrase “bury one’s head in the sand” is commonly used in both formal and informal English. It is typically used when referring to someone who is trying to ignore a difficult or unpleasant situation in order to avoid having to deal with it. It can also be used to describe someone who is in denial of a certain truth or fact, or who is attempting to avoid confrontation.

Example Sentences

• She was trying to bury her head in the sand about the fact that her marriage was failing.
• He’s been burying his head in the sand ever since his friend died.
• She was so scared of the news that she was almost burying her head in the sand.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.