# look the other way

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/look-the-other-way
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To ignore something wrong; to turn a blind eye to something; to connive at something.

## Examples

- The guard looked the other way when the boy stole an apple.
- The manager knew about the small errors but decided to look the other way to avoid a conflict.
- Although the corruption was evident to everyone in the office, the supervisor chose to look the other way rather than risk his own reputation.

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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.