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- DictionaryThe elephant in the room
- ▪ a major problem or controversial issue that is obviously present but avoided as a subject for discussion because it is more comfortable to do so
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Obvious major problem
- elephant in the room noun phrase : an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging
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The meaning of ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging.
People also ask
What does an elephant in the room mean?
What does “white elephant in the room” mean?
What is the metaphor of the elephant in the room?
Where did the phrase 'the elephant in the room' come from?
If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Learn the origin, usage and meaning of the metaphorical idiom "the elephant in the room", which refers to an obvious but ignored problem or issue. Find out how the phrase is used in literature, media, politics and other contexts.
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We all use the phrase “elephant in the room” to describe a situation or an issue that’s pretty obvious or noticeable, but it’s not being addressed or discussed the way it should be. Like when you know two friends in your friend’s group are fighting but are super quiet when among everyone. You could stand up and say, “Alright, let’s address the elep...
You bet! When you hear “elephant in the room,” you can be sure it’s considered an English idiom or idiomatic phrase because it’s not a true statement; there’s no actual giant elephant standing in the room.
“White elephant in the room” is a variation of the normal phrase most of us use. A “white elephant” is considered a rare and valuable gift in some cultures, but eventually, over many years, the term came to represent something difficult to get rid of or take care of.
You’d think the roots of this phrase went back quite far, but it first appeared in America during the early 1950s in an excerpt in the Charleston Gazettethat said, “Chicago, that’s an old Indian word meaning get that elephant out of your room.” It was also reworded and used in the title of the book by Typpo and Hastings, “An Elephant in the Living ...
Taboo topicUnspoken issueDelicate matterSkeleton in the closetThe company’s financial problems were the elephant in the room that nobody wanted to acknowledge, but we had to address them to move forward with a new plan.With my mother planning to visit, my husband and I had to talk about the elephant in the room; she’s extremely rude, and everyone lets her get away with it.Despite the tension between my two best friends, the elephant in the room remained unaddressed, and now our group trip to Mexico is going to be awkward.Listen, we need to talk about the elephant in the room before it becomes an even bigger problem. I think we should see a couple’s therapist.Whether you call it an “elephant in the room” or a “white elephant in the room,” the meaning is pretty much the same. At least, the intent is. It represents a problem or issue causing discomfort or difficulty that needs to be addressed but is probably ignored because no one wants to deal with it.
Learn the meaning and origin of the idiom "elephant in the room", which means a obvious but ignored problem or issue. Find out how to use it in sentences and variations like "white elephant in the room".
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What's the meaning of the phrase 'The elephant in the room'? An important and obvious topic, which everyone present is aware of, but which isn’t discussed, as such discussion is considered to be uncomfortable.
Learn the meaning and usage of the idiom 'elephant in the room', which refers to a large, obvious problem that everyone ignores or avoids. See the origin of the expression, 10 everyday examples and 10 quotes featuring the idiom.
Like a giant animal in a space far too small for it, the elephant in the room is a problem that everyone knows exists, but nobody wants to do anything about. This phrase sometimes appears as elephant in the living room.
