turn a blind eye to sth

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase turn a blind eye to sth, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression turn a blind eye to sth used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "turn a blind eye to sth"

Meaning

The phrase “turn a blind eye to something” means to deliberately ignore or to not pay attention to something you don’t want to see. It is often used to describe instances where someone is not holding themselves or others accountable for something, even when they know it’s wrong.

Etymology

The phrase “turn a blind eye to something” originated from the naval battles at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, when British admiral Horatio Nelson famously used the phrase in response to a signal from the battle commander, Admiral Hyde Parker. Parker had signaled Nelson to disengage from the battle, but Nelson raised his telescope to his blind eye and declared he couldn’t see the signal. He continued to fight, ultimately winning the battle.

Usage

The phrase “turn a blind eye to something” is used most commonly to describe instances where someone is purposely disregarding something they know to be wrong or where they are not holding someone accountable for bad behavior. It can also be used to describe a scenario where an authority figure or government is deliberately not enforcing a law or policy.

Example Sentences

• The principal turned a blind eye to the bullying in the school, even though parents were complaining.
• My boss always turns a blind eye to my absences, as long as I get my work done.
• The government decided to turn a blind eye to the illegal immigrants, allowing them to stay in the country.

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.