Turn a Blind Eye
Meaning: To pretend not to see something, usually something wrong, and choose to do nothing about it.
Have you ever heard the phrase "turn a blind eye"? It means to ignore something on purpose. This expression comes from British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was blind in one eye. During a battle, he used his blind eye to look through a telescope, claiming he didn't see the order to retreat. Today, you might say, "The teacher turned a blind eye to students whispering during the test," meaning they noticed but did nothing.
How to use it
Use it when someone knows about a problem or a broken rule but decides not to act. It often sounds critical, as if the person should have done something. The usual pattern is “turn a blind eye to something.” It works in conversation and in news writing.
Examples
- The manager turned a blind eye to people leaving early on Fridays.
- You can’t just turn a blind eye to bullying.
- Some officials turned a blind eye to the safety problems for years.
A common mistake
Use to after it: turn a blind eye to the problem, not “turn a blind eye on” or “for” the problem. And keep the article: not “turn blind eye.”
Where it comes from
The most famous story is about the British admiral Horatio Nelson, who had lost the sight in one eye. At the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, he is said to have raised his telescope to his blind eye so he could claim he didn’t see a signal to stop fighting. The story is popular, but it isn’t certain the phrase started there.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Britannica