Turn a blind eye
Encyclopedia
The idiom
turning a blind eye is used to describe the process of ignoring unpopular orders or inconvenient facts or activities.
The phrase to turn a blind eye is attributed to an incident in the life of Admiral
Horatio Nelson.
Nelson was blinded in one eye early in his Royal Navy
career. In 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen cautious Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, in overall command of the British
forces, sent a signal to Nelson's forces giving him discretion to withdraw. Naval orders were transmitted via a system of signal flag
s at that time. When this order was given to the more aggressive Nelson's attention, he lifted his telescope up to his blind eye, said "I really do not see the signal", and his forces continued to press home the attack.
Despite popular opinion that he was disobeying orders, the signal gave him discretion to withdraw when he wanted to. Still, even at the time, some of the people on his ship may have thought otherwise, since they were not aware of the exact content of the signal.
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
turning a blind eye is used to describe the process of ignoring unpopular orders or inconvenient facts or activities.
The phrase to turn a blind eye is attributed to an incident in the life of Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Horatio Nelson.
Nelson was blinded in one eye early in his Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
career. In 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen cautious Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, in overall command of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
forces, sent a signal to Nelson's forces giving him discretion to withdraw. Naval orders were transmitted via a system of signal flag
International maritime signal flags
The system of international maritime signal flags is one system of flag signals representing individual letters of the alphabet in signals to or from ships...
s at that time. When this order was given to the more aggressive Nelson's attention, he lifted his telescope up to his blind eye, said "I really do not see the signal", and his forces continued to press home the attack.
Despite popular opinion that he was disobeying orders, the signal gave him discretion to withdraw when he wanted to. Still, even at the time, some of the people on his ship may have thought otherwise, since they were not aware of the exact content of the signal.