Shut/close your eyes to something
phrase
To ignore or deliberately avoid noticing something.
You can't just shut your eyes to the poor conditions in this school.
Often appears as...
- shut your eyes to reality
- shut your eyes to problems
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To refuse or avoid acknowledging a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
She kept closing her eyes to the fact that her marriage was falling apart.
Often appears as...
- close your eyes to reality
- close your eyes to consequences
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To ignore or deliberately avoid noticing something.
You can't just shut your eyes to the poor conditions in this school.
Often appears as...
- shut your eyes to reality
- shut your eyes to problems
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To refuse or avoid acknowledging a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
She kept closing her eyes to the fact that her marriage was falling apart.
Often appears as...
- close your eyes to reality
- close your eyes to consequences
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Intentional Ignorance
This phrase implies a conscious decision to ignore something rather than simply not noticing it.
Even with the clear evidence, he shut his eyes to the corruption.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoidance
Used to describe avoiding dealing with a problem or unpleasant situation.
Many people shut their eyes to environmental issues because they feel helpless.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative judgment of the person choosing not to acknowledge the issue.
The manager shut his eyes to the safety concerns, and now we're facing lawsuits.
Pro Tip 1/3Intentional Ignorance
This phrase implies a conscious decision to ignore something rather than simply not noticing it.
Even with the clear evidence, he shut his eyes to the corruption.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoidance
Used to describe avoiding dealing with a problem or unpleasant situation.
Many people shut their eyes to environmental issues because they feel helpless.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative judgment of the person choosing not to acknowledge the issue.
The manager shut his eyes to the safety concerns, and now we're facing lawsuits.
Pro Tip 1/3Intentional Ignorance
This phrase implies a conscious decision to ignore something rather than simply not noticing it.
Even with the clear evidence, he shut his eyes to the corruption.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoidance
Used to describe avoiding dealing with a problem or unpleasant situation.
Many people shut their eyes to environmental issues because they feel helpless.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative judgment of the person choosing not to acknowledge the issue.
The manager shut his eyes to the safety concerns, and now we're facing lawsuits.
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