Look the other way
phrase
To ignore something wrong intentionally or pretend not to see it.
The supervisor looked the other way when his friend was stealing office supplies.
Often appears as...
- police look the other way
- authorities look the other way
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To physically turn your head and focus your sight in a different direction.
He was too nervous to watch, so he looked the other way.
Often appears as...
- look the other way when
- look the other way as
phrase
To ignore something wrong intentionally or pretend not to see it.
The supervisor looked the other way when his friend was stealing office supplies.
Often appears as...
- police look the other way
- authorities look the other way
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To physically turn your head and focus your sight in a different direction.
He was too nervous to watch, so he looked the other way.
Often appears as...
- look the other way when
- look the other way as
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Turning a Blind Eye
When someone chooses not to act upon a wrongdoing they've noticed.
I can't believe the lifeguard just looked the other way when they saw the boys cheating at the pool game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Justice
This phrase suggests a moral compromise or the failure to uphold fairness.
The referee looked the other way every time the star player fouled.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
The phrase often carries a negative connotation, especially in legal and social justice contexts.
In the movie, corrupt politicians looked the other way when crimes were committed.
Pro Tip 1/3Turning a Blind Eye
When someone chooses not to act upon a wrongdoing they've noticed.
I can't believe the lifeguard just looked the other way when they saw the boys cheating at the pool game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Justice
This phrase suggests a moral compromise or the failure to uphold fairness.
The referee looked the other way every time the star player fouled.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
The phrase often carries a negative connotation, especially in legal and social justice contexts.
In the movie, corrupt politicians looked the other way when crimes were committed.
Pro Tip 1/3Turning a Blind Eye
When someone chooses not to act upon a wrongdoing they've noticed.
I can't believe the lifeguard just looked the other way when they saw the boys cheating at the pool game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Justice
This phrase suggests a moral compromise or the failure to uphold fairness.
The referee looked the other way every time the star player fouled.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
The phrase often carries a negative connotation, especially in legal and social justice contexts.
In the movie, corrupt politicians looked the other way when crimes were committed.
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