PhrasesHub

Elephant in the room

    Definitions

      • an obvious problem or issue that is being ignored or avoided
        To acknowledge or address a problem or issue that is known to everyone but is being purposely ignored or avoided in a social or professional setting

      • a large, noticeable, or awkward presence or object
        To describe something or someone that stands out or is difficult to ignore due to their size, presence, or behavior

    Examples of Elephant in the room

    • "We all know that the company's financial situation is an elephant in the room, but no one wants to address it directly."

      This idiom refers to an obvious issue or problem that is being ignored or avoided in a group or situation. It suggests that the issue is so large and obvious that it is like an elephant in the room, and yet everyone present is choosing to pretend it isn't there.

    • "During the meeting, the elephant in the room was the fact that the project had gone significantly over budget."

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a specific issue or problem that is being avoided or ignored in a particular situation.

    • "In our team, the elephant in the room is the fact that some members are not pulling their weight."

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a specific issue or problem within a group or team.

    • "At the family gathering, the elephant in the room was the tension between my sister and her ex-husband."

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a specific issue or problem within a social or familial situation.

    • "In the political debate, the elephant in the room was the issue of immigration reform."

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a specific issue or problem within a political or social context.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "elephant in the room" is commonly used to refer to a topic or issue that is known to everyone present but is not being openly discussed. It can also be used to describe something or someone that is hard to ignore due to their noticeable size or presence.

    In social situations, the idiom is often used to describe a sensitive or uncomfortable topic that is being avoided in conversation. For example, if a couple is having problems but chooses not to address them in front of their friends, the issues can be referred to as the "elephant in the room." Similarly, in a business meeting, a glaring issue that is being ignored by all participants can be described as the "elephant in the room."

    The idiom can also be used to describe a person or object that stands out due to their size or presence. For example, a person who is taller or larger than everyone else in a group may be referred to as the "elephant in the room." Similarly, a large and noticeable piece of furniture or artwork can be described as the "elephant in the room."

    Origin of "Elephant in the room"

    The origin of the idiom "elephant in the room" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. It is said to have originated from the English language translation of a German fable by Ivan Andreevich Krylov, in which a man fails to notice an elephant in his living room while focusing on smaller, less significant objects.

    The idiom gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s and has since become a commonly used phrase in the English language. It is often used in a humorous or sarcastic manner to draw attention to a situation that is being purposely ignored by those involved. The use of the word "elephant" in the idiom may also be a nod to the animal's large size and presence, making it a fitting metaphor for a problem or issue that is hard to ignore.