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What Does “The Elephant In The Room” Mean? How To Use It.

What Does “The Elephant In The Room” Mean? How To Use It.

There are many idiomatic expressions in the English language we are not aware of, and a deep study is all it takes to learn about these idioms. One of those unique idioms is “the elephant in the room,” we will cover everything about it in this article.

The idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” means an issue that needs to be addressed, but it is being ignored or not acknowledged. It means to ignore something obvious intentionally. Anything that needs to be dealt with but is being ignored is another meaning.

Using idiomatic expressions can be exciting, especially when you have discovered a new one. However, for you to use them correctly, you must have an in-depth understanding of them. Please, take out time to study and be knowledgeable.

What Does “The Elephant In The Room” Mean?

Coming across an unknown and unfamiliar idiomatic expression when reading can lead to a few minutes of confusion. However, going the extra mile to learn more about idioms will save you from being confused when you see a unique idiom.

We do not want you to be confused when you come across the idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room.” You will learn the meaning and how to use it correctly in a sentence in this article.

Now, what does the idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” mean?

The idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” refers to an obvious or controversial problem that no one wants to talk about because they find it uncomfortable or awkward.

Another meaning of the idiom is an essential issue or topic that everyone is aware of. However, nobody wants to discuss or address it because it is sensitive or will result in embarrassment.

When you use the idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room,” it could also mean a major or important topic or problem that everyone present knows about but is unwilling to address because it is problematic and sensitive.

The idiom “the elephant in the room” can also refer to an important problem or a controversial issue. However, everyone avoids it as a topic or subject of discussion.

It could also mean an obvious fact or truth that is regarded as undesirable or embarrassing and is left unaddressed and intentionally ignored. An issue that is not discussed or addressed because it is politically, socially, or personally embarrassing or dangerous is referred to as “the elephant in the room.”

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What Is The Origin Of The Idiomatic Expression “The Elephant In The Room”?

Different theories about how the idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” came to be in use have been provided. Many of these theories have been rebuffed, and only a few are accepted as credible. However, we will look at a few of these theories.

One accepted theory is that a Russian fabulist and poet, Ivan Krylov Andreevich, who lived from 1769-1844, composed a story in 1814. The story of a man who visits a museum and notices everything, including the tiny things, but does not notice the only elephant in the museum.

The phrase has been used as a proverb ever since; it was first used as a metaphorical expression that perfectly describes cases where people refuse to identify or acknowledge an obvious problem. Dostoevsky Fyodor referred to Andreevich’s story in his novel “Demons.”

Another theory claims the idiom has its origin in the United States of America during the mid-20th century. The Oxford Dictionary used the phrase first as a simile in The New York Times on June 20th, 1959. However, the first known use of the idiom in print is in 1952, according to the Phrase Finder website.

There are claims that the idiomatic expression has been in use before 1959; in 1915, the idiom appeared in one of the British Journal of Education pages. It was written as a little illustration of a question school children would be capable of answering.

There is also a widely accepted theory that the idiom references a story written in 1882 by Mark Twain titled “The Stolen White Elephant.” The story is about a group of detectives looking for an elephant confined in a location all the while.

Others claim the idiomatic expression responds to the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead’s description of how good an immediate experience can be in 1929. Jimmy Durante, a comedian, referenced the idiom from a 1962 movie of Billy Rose’s Jumbo.

elephant in room group

How Do People Use The Idiomatic Expression “The Elephant In The Room”?

You use the idiom “the elephant in the room” to describe a situation when you know addressing an obvious or important issue will make you feel embarrassed, so you avoid addressing it.

The expression is used when everyone refuses to discuss an obvious issue because it will make them feel awkward. For example, if you accidentally kiss your friend and the next time you are both in the same room, you avoid talking about the kiss. You can term the kiss as “the elephant in the room” because talking about it might be awkward.

The idiom “the elephant in the room” is also used when nobody wants to acknowledge a noticeable issue. For example, if there is any evidence of something that happened to someone and that person is in a room with other people, if he refuses to talk about what happened, you can say the elephant in the room is being ignored.

You can also use the idiom when you are reluctant to address something because addressing it can result in an argument or conflict. The expression “the elephant in the room” is also used to describe a subject that, if discussed, can cause disagreement.

You can either use the idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” or “an elephant in the room.” You also use the idiom “the elephant in the room” when describing the situation, while the expression “an elephant in the room” refers to relating an event to someone else.

When someone refuses to discuss an obvious issue or event because he will feel uncomfortable, you can say such an issue is “an elephant in the room.” You also use the expression when there is an obvious truth that everyone is avoiding because it is embarrassing.

Other variations of the idiomatic expression are “the pink elephant in the room” and “elephant in the corner.” These other expressions all have the same meaning as the expression “the elephant in the room” and can be used interchangeably.

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Illustrative Examples Of How To Use The Idiomatic Expression

The idiomatic expression “the elephant in the room” is quite easy to use as long as you understand the idiom. So, in order for you to fully understand the idiom and use it correctly when writing, we will give some illustrative examples.

  1. As soon as my brother walked into the dining room, everyone noticed the huge bruise on his face, but everyone decided to ignore the elephant in the room and talk about other things because of his sour mood.
  2. During my conversation with Andrew, my best friend, he mentioned that he had a crush on me, so the following day, when we saw each other, I did not know what to say, so we sat in silence due to the elephant in the room.
  3. There is always an elephant in the room during every extended family gathering because my thirty-five-year-old brother is jobless and still living with my parents.
  4. Elijah arrived late to the conference meeting. His clothes were wet, so the managing director asked him to address the elephant in the room because everyone was staring at him.
  5. When we returned to the classroom after the principal’s announcement, everyone was quiet because no one was willing to discuss the elephant in the room, the expulsion of Peter.
  6. Last week, the president held a meeting with the senators to announce his proposals to reform some laws in the country while overlooking the elephant in the room.
  7. During the student council meeting, I told the other members that we have to address the elephant in the room, the rumors spreading about the student council president.
  8. My brother and I could hear my parents fighting, but as soon as we entered the living room, they became very quiet, and neither my brother nor I was willing to address the elephant in the room.
  9. My mom said she doesn’t like my boyfriend after we visited my parents at home, so the next time I visited my parents, there was a huge elephant in the room, and I refused to talk to my mom.
  10. The announcement of the new class president caused huge tension in the classroom, and nobody was willing to address the elephant in the room.

Final Thoughts

Creative writing is a skill that is treasured today, and people with great writing skills are adored and respected. Williams Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and other notable writers are respected because they understand the nitty-gritty of writing.

Everybody has the potential to be a good writer, it is locked in, and the only way to bring it out is by studying. You cannot create good content if you are not well versed with words, phrases, idioms, and proverbs.

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