Close an eye to
Meaning
To deliberately ignore something undesirable or wrong, often to avoid taking action or causing a conflict.
Origin
While famously linked to Admiral Nelson "turning a blind eye" at Copenhagen in 1801, the act of "closing an eye" suggests an even more deliberate and active choice not to see. Before Nelson's theatrical refusal to see a retreat signal, the idea of willfully ignoring something was already present, often tied to metaphorically shutting out an uncomfortable truth. However, Nelson's legendary maneuver popularized the direct association of physical non-sight with strategic or moral indifference. To "close an eye to" evolved from this cultural recognition, implying a conscious decision to overlook a fault or a problem, allowing it to persist, much like deliberately choosing to avoid an unwelcome sight. It became a powerful idiom for the intentional neglect of duties or wrongdoing.
Examples
- The manager decided to close an eye to the employee's occasional tardiness, understanding he was navigating a difficult family situation.
- Parents sometimes close an eye to minor sibling squabbles, allowing their children to learn to resolve conflicts on their own.