elephant in the room
Unspoken glaring issue
An elephant in the room is an obvious problem or awkward truth that everyone present is aware of but no one mentions.
The image is of something so large it cannot be missed, yet collectively ignored: Nobody wanted to discuss the elephant in the room—that the company was failing.
The phrase points to social discomfort around difficult topics.
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
- taboo subjectTopic considered inappropriate to discuss
- enablingMaking something feasible
- willful ignorancePurposely remaining uninformed
evident · undeniable · avoidance · swept under rug · 800-pound gorilla · metaphor · conspicuous · polite fiction · idiom · neglect · overt · tacit agreement · ignored · saying · silent · awkward silence · looming · problem
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, dark horse
- AllusionsAchilles heel, Pandora's box, Trojan horse, forbidden fruit, Midas touch
elephant in the roomopen secret
Known fact nobody admits
on the table · out in the open · cards on the table · front and center · cleared the air
elephant in the roomminor detail
Insignificant specific element
small potatoes · non-issue · tempest in a teapot · trifle · tiny
elephant, elephants, elephantine, roomful, roominess, elephantiasis