PhrasesHub

The elephant in the room

    Definitions

      • Uncomfortable or obvious truth or issue that is being ignored or avoided
        Acknowledge a sensitive or difficult topic that everyone is aware of, but no one is willing to address or discuss openly

      • Something or someone that is impossible to ignore or overlook
        Refer to a large or prominent object or person that is impossible to miss or disregard in a particular situation or setting

    Examples of The elephant in the room

    • "During the job interview, the elephant in the room was the candidate's lack of experience in the industry. The interviewer avoided bringing it up directly, but it was clear that this was a major concern."

      The idiom "the elephant in the room" refers to an obvious, but unaddressed problem or issue that everyone is aware of, but no one wants to talk about. In this example, the candidate's lack of experience is the elephant in the room, as it is a major issue that both the candidate and the interviewer are aware of, but neither wants to bring up directly.2. Pulling out all the stops

    • "The company is pulling out all the stops to secure the new client. They've offered a discount, expedited delivery, and even thrown in some freebies to sweeten the deal."

      The idiom "pulling out all the stops" refers to making a maximum effort or doing everything possible to achieve a goal. In this example, the company is pulling out all the stops to secure the new client by offering discounts, expedited delivery, and freebies.3. A piece of cake

    • "The math test was a piece of cake. I finished it in half the time allotted and even had time to review my answers."

      The idiom "a piece of cake" refers to something that is easy or simple to do. In this example, the math test was a piece of cake for the speaker, as they finished it easily and had time to review their answers.4. Spill the beans

    • "I accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party to my friend, who was supposed to keep it a secret. I feel terrible!"

      The idiom "spill the beans" refers to revealing a secret or surprise. In this example, the speaker accidentally revealed the surprise party to their friend, who was supposed to keep it a secret, by "spilling the beans."5. A penny for your thoughts

    • "My friend has been quiet ever since we started walking. I guess I'll have to ask her, 'A penny for your thoughts?'"

      The idiom "a penny for your thoughts" refers to asking someone what they are thinking, implying that their thoughts are valuable or worth a penny. In this example, the speaker is considering asking their friend, "A penny for your thoughts?" as their friend has been quiet and they are curious about what they might be thinking.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "the elephant in the room" is commonly used to refer to an uncomfortable or obvious truth or issue that is being ignored or avoided. This can be applied to a range of situations, from personal conflicts within a group to larger societal problems that are being brushed under the rug. By acknowledging the existence of this "elephant," people can begin to address and confront the underlying issue.

    Additionally, the phrase can also be used to refer to something or someone that cannot be ignored or overlooked. This could be a literal elephant in a room, but is more commonly used metaphorically to describe a large or prominent object or person that demands attention and cannot be ignored.

    Origin of "The elephant in the room"

    The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but there are a few possible explanations. One theory suggests that it originated from the British Raj in India, where mahouts (elephant trainers) would bring an elephant into a room to intimidate or impress visitors. This would have been an obvious and unavoidable presence, and thus could have led to the phrase being used to describe any uncomfortable or unavoidable situation.

    Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated in the United States in the 1950s, where it was used in the context of addiction and substance abuse. In this scenario, the "elephant" would represent the addiction, and the room would be the social setting where it was being ignored or avoided. This theory is supported by the fact that the phrase became more popular in the 1970s during the rise of the self-help movement.

    Regardless of its exact origin, "the elephant in the room" is now a commonly used idiom that accurately captures the uncomfortable and unavoidable nature of certain situations.