PhrasesHub

Suspension of disbelief

    Definitions

      • accepting something as true or real in a work of fiction or storytelling
        Describing the act of temporarily accepting the unrealistic or improbable elements of a story for the sake of enjoying it

      • open-mindedness
        Referring to the willingness to accept or believe something that may seem unlikely or illogical

    Examples of Suspension of disbelief

    • In the movie Jurassic Park, the audience is asked to suspend their disbelief as they watch live dinosaurs roam the island. The special effects and convincing performances by the cast help to keep the audience engaged and to believe in the fictional world created by the filmmakers.

      The idiom "suspension of disbelief" refers to the ability of a person to set aside their rational thinking and accept something as true, even if it seems improbable or impossible. In the context of this example, the audience is asked to temporarily forget about the scientific impossible nature of dinosaurs being brought back to life and instead, accept them as real in order to fully enjoy and appreciate the movie.

    • While reading a mystery novel, the reader must suspend their disbelief in order to follow the convoluted plot and solve the crime alongside the detective. As the story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, the reader suspends their disbelief and becomes fully immersed in the fictional world, eagerly waiting to see how it all ends.

      Once again, the concept of "suspension of disbelief" applies as the reader must temporarily forget about the unlikelihood of real-life murders being so complex and instead, accept the implausibility of the story in order to enjoy it.

    • During a theatrical performance, the audience is asked to suspend their disbelief in order to fully appreciate the acting and the story. The actor's performance, the lighting, and the set design all contribute to helping the audience accept the fictional world created on stage.

      In this case, "suspension of disbelief" allows the audience to forget about the fact that they are watching actors on a stage and instead, become fully immersed in the story, seeing the actors as real characters and living in their own world.

    • As the director dimmed the lights and the music swelled, Jane willingly suspended her disbelief and let herself be swept away by the magic of the theater production.

      "Suspension of disbelief" refers to the willingness of an audience to accept the unreal or implausible elements of a story, performance, or artwork as possible or true. In this example, Jane is voluntarily setting aside her doubts and skepticism in order to fully enjoy and immerse herself in the theatrical performance.

    • Though some readers found the plot of the novel far-fetched, they were more than willing to suspend their disbelief and delve into the captivating world that the author had created.

      This example illustrates how the concept of suspension of disbelief is not limited to theatrical productions, but can also apply to works of literature. The readers in this case are actively choosing to believe in and engage with the fantastical elements of the story, even if they may recognize them as improbable or unrealistic.

    • As a child, Emma loved watching her favorite cartoons, despite the fact that some of the physics and science behind the animated world seemed downright impossible. She learned to simply suspend her disbelief and enjoy the imaginative and whimsical adventures that unfolded before her.

      This use of suspension of disbelief speaks to the way that children often have a more open and accepting attitude towards fantasy and the unknown. Emma is able to accept and enjoy the many absurdities of her favorite cartoons because she is able to suspend her disbelief and enter into the imaginative, childlike world that the animators have created.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "suspension of disbelief" is commonly used to describe the act of temporarily accepting something as true or real, particularly in a work of fiction or storytelling. It can also refer to the open-mindedness and willingness to accept something that may seem unlikely or illogical. Overall, the phrase highlights the idea of setting aside doubts and skepticism in order to fully engage with a narrative or concept.

    Origin of "Suspension of disbelief"

    The phrase "suspension of disbelief" originated in the early 19th century and is often attributed to the poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In his writings, Coleridge discussed the concept of "poetic faith" or the temporary suspension of judgment and skepticism while engaging with a work of art or literature. This idea of willingly setting aside disbelief to fully immerse oneself in a story has since become a well-known literary and theatrical concept. Over time, the phrase has evolved to encompass a broader sense of open-mindedness and acceptance of the improbable in various aspects of life. Overall, the origin of the idiom "suspension of disbelief" is rooted in the realm of literature and art, reflecting the human capacity to embrace the unreal for the sake of enjoyment and understanding.