# close one eye

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/close-one-eye
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to look the other way, to deliberately ignore or overlook (a mistake or transgression).

## Examples

- The teacher will close one eye to your small mistake today.
- The manager decided to close one eye to the staff's late arrival because they worked so hard last week.
- Although the strict supervisor usually enforced every rule, he chose to close one eye to the minor oversight, recognizing the employee's otherwise impeccable record of service.

## Origin

Compare close one's eyes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.