Do not index
Do not index
What does "The elephant in the room" mean?
The phrase 'the elephant in the room' refers to a significant problem or issue that is obvious but is deliberately ignored or not addressed by those present.
When do you use "The elephant in the room"?
This phrase is appropriate in discussions or situations where a serious issue is being avoided, particularly in meetings, family gatherings, or social settings where acknowledging the problem may cause tension or conflict.
"The elephant in the room" Usage Examples
- During the team meeting, everyone talked about the project timeline, but no one mentioned the elephant in the room: the budget cuts.
- At the family dinner, there was an elephant in the room regarding my brother's recent divorce, but nobody wanted to bring it up.
- The CEO's speech was inspiring, but he completely ignored the elephant in the room—the company's declining sales.
- We can keep dancing around the topic, but we need to address the elephant in the room before we can move forward.
- In our discussion about climate change, the elephant in the room is the fossil fuel industry and its influence on policy.
"The elephant in the room" Explained
The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in the late 20th century. The imagery of a large elephant, which would be impossible to overlook in a room, symbolizes major issues that people choose to ignore, often due to discomfort or social taboos. The phrase emphasizes the absurdity of ignoring something so glaringly obvious.