elephant in the room

noun phrase

: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging

Examples of elephant in the room in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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No one plans a date and no one addresses the elephant in the room. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 Georgia coach Kirby Smart said many failed to recognize the elephant in the room at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025 The 35-year-old also addressed the elephant in the room: Will Taylor Swift release Reputation (Taylor’s Version)? Sam Reed, Glamour, 30 May 2025 In the Cotswolds, O'Hara points out the elephant in the room. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elephant in the room was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“Elephant in the room.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20in%20the%20room. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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