World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesFermer les yeux
Pronunciation / Transliteration: fɛʁ le zjø
"Il ne faut pas fermer les yeux sur ces injustices."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To pretend not to notice something, especially something bad, illegal, or wrong that is happening.
"The authorities cannot afford to turn a blind eye to environmental violations anymore." - 2
To deliberately choose to ignore a fault, error, or infraction committed by someone else.
"Teachers sometimes turn a blind eye to minor infractions if students show genuine remorse."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the late 17th or early 18th century, this idiom is famously attributed to British Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, where he put his telescope to his blind eye to willfully ignore a signal from his superior officer to cease action. Over time, the nautical anecdote broadened into a general metaphor for deliberately ignoring undesirable facts, misconduct, or unpleasant truths.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Turn a blind eye"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Turn a blind eye" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
Fermer les yeux
Transliteration: fɛʁ le zjø
"Il ne faut pas fermer les yeux sur ces injustices."
Ein Auge zudrücken
Transliteration: aɪn ˈaʊ.ɡə ˈtsuːˌdʁʏ.kn̩
"Der Lehrer hat noch einmal ein Auge zugedrückt."
Chiudere un occhio
Transliteration: ˈkjuː.de.re un ˈɔk.kjo
"Per questa volta possiamo chiudere un occhio."
Hacer la vista gorda
Transliteration: aˈseɾ la ˈbis.ta ˈɣoɾ.da
"El policía decidió hacer la vista gorda ante la infracción menor."
Fazer vista grossa
Transliteration: faˈzeɾ ˈvis.tɐ ˈɡɾɔ.sɐ
"Os chefes costumam fazer vista grossa a pequenos atrasos."
अंदेखा करना
Transliteration: andekha karna
"हमें भ्रष्टाचार को अंदेखा नहीं करना चाहिए।"
睁一只眼闭一只眼
Transliteration: zhēng yì zhī yǎn bì yì zhī yǎn
"对于员工的小错误，经理 usually 睁一只眼闭一只眼。"
못 본 체하다
Transliteration: mot bon chehada
"우리는 그 문제를 더 이상 못 본 체할 수 없다."
見ないふりをする
Transliteration: minai furi o suru
"彼女はそのミスを見ないふりをした。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsExplore Nuanced Synonyms for "Turn a blind eye"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.