# ostrich policy

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ostrich-policy
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The tendency to ignore obvious problems and pretend they do not exist; ostrichism.

## Examples

- Ignoring your mounting debt is a classic ostrich policy.
- You cannot solve your health issues by following an ostrich policy.
- An ostrich policy only makes a bad situation worse in the long run.
- The manager adopted an ostrich policy regarding the budget cuts, hoping the staff would not notice the missing funds.
- The couple followed an ostrich policy about their broken heating system until the first snow forced them to call a repairman.
- Instead of fixing the software bugs, the tech company used an ostrich policy and waited for customers to complain.
- By maintaining an ostrich policy in the face of mounting environmental evidence, the administration effectively ensured that the inevitable crisis would arrive without warning.

## Origin

From ostrich + policy, referencing the popular but erroneous belief that the ostrich buries its head in the sand upon the approach of danger. The term is perhaps a calque, suggesting a comparison with the related phrase ostrich politics. (disputed)

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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.