Meaning
Pretend not to notice something wrong.
Primary Function
Ignoring.
Communicative Purpose
To indicate wilful ignorance.
Pattern
turn a blind eye to
Core Structure
turn a blind eye to
Função primária
Ignoring.
Propósito comunicativo
To indicate wilful ignorance.
Situações de gatilho
Rules broken, minor offences.
Contextos
Enforcement, management.
Padrão
turn a blind eye to
Estrutura central
turn a blind eye to
Slots de substituição
[something] → the mistake, the rule
Colocados típicos
- choose to
- decide to
- can’t just
Substituições comuns
- look the other way
- condone
Erros comuns
*turn a blind eye on* (prep ‘to’ preferred)
Similar / contraste
close one’s eyes to
Interferências
Not about injury.
Família do chunk
- Ignorance/avoidance idioms
Nuance
Deliberate avoidance, often negative.
Efeito pragmático
Implies complicity.
Dica de memória
Admiral Nelson with blind eye not seeing signal.
Nota
This idiom is often used to describe someone in a position of authority who chooses to ignore wrongdoing, often to avoid conflict or maintain the status quo. It can have negative connotations, suggesting that the person is being irresponsible or unethical. The origin of the phrase is attributed to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who allegedly turned a blind eye to a signal during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, allowing him to continue his attack.
Upgrade path
tacitly disregard (formal)
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