the elephant in the room
Ignored glaring issue
The elephant in the room is an obvious problem or uncomfortable truth that everyone present is aware of but no one mentions.
The image is of something so large it cannot be missed, yet politely ignored: Nobody wanted to discuss the elephant in the room—that the company was failing.
The phrase often signals that someone is about to address what others have avoided.
Not verbally expressed
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- denialRefusal to accept reality
overlooked · unacknowledged · undiscussed · unmentioned · suppressed · sidestepped · deflected · evaded
Lacking grace or ease
- tensionStretched or strained state
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- squirmTwist from discomfort
fidget · nervous laughter · stilted · strained · palpable · walking on eggshells · uncomfortable · cringe
Offensively conspicuous
- glaringHarshly conspicuous or bright
- unmistakableImpossible to misidentify
- undeniableImpossible to contradict
- conspicuousClearly visible, attention-grabbing
plain as day · self-evident · manifest · apparent · visible · pronounced · screaming · looming
unspoken
Not verbally expressed
denial · overlooked · unacknowledged · undiscussed · unmentioned · suppressed · sidestepped · deflected · evaded · circumvented
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- tensionStretched or strained state
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
squirm · fidget · nervous laughter · stilted · strained · palpable · walking on eggshells · uncomfortable · cringe · grimace
blatant
Offensively conspicuous
- glaringHarshly conspicuous or bright
- unmistakableImpossible to misidentify
- undeniableImpossible to contradict
conspicuous · plain as day · self-evident · manifest · apparent · visible · pronounced · screaming · looming · towering
the elephant in the roomcards on the table
Total openness about intentions
out in the open · on the table · cleared the air · open secret · front and center
the elephant in the roomcasual conversation
Informal spoken exchange
small talk · non-issue · fair game · common knowledge · polite conversation