Turning a blind eye is an
idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
describing the ignoring of undesirable information.
Although the Oxford English Dictionary records usage of the phrase as early as 1698,
the phrase ''to turn a blind eye'' is often
falsely attributed to an incident in the life of
Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson
Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought abo ...
. Nelson was blinded in one eye early in his
Royal Navy career. During the
Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 the cautious Admiral
Sir Hyde Parker, in overall command of the
British forces, sent a signal to Nelson's forces ordering them to discontinue the action. Naval orders were transmitted via a system of
signal flag
Flag signals can mean any of various methods of using flags or pennants to send signals. Flags may have individual significance as signals, or two or more flags may be manipulated so that their relative positions convey symbols. Flag signals allo ...
s at that time. When this order was brought to the more aggressive Nelson's attention, he lifted his telescope up to his blind eye, saying, "I have a right to be blind sometimes. I really do not see the signal," and most of his forces continued to press home the attack.
The frigates supporting the line-of-battle ships did break off, in one case suffering severe losses in the retreat.
There is a misconception that the order was to be obeyed at Nelson's discretion, but this is contradicted by the fact that it was a general order to all the attacking ships (some of whom did break off), and that later that day Nelson openly stated that he had "fought contrary to orders". Sir Hyde Parker was recalled in disgrace and Nelson appointed Commander-in-Chief of the fleet following the battle.
See also
*
Three wise monkeys
*
Willful blindness
*
Cognitive dissonance
*
Blue wall of silence
References
External links
* {{cite web, url=http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/8/messages/288.html, title=Re: turn a blind eye, date=2001-03-30, accessdate=2008-05-02, publisher=The Phrase Finder
Ethics
English phrases