look the other way

phrase

: to direct one's attention away from something unpleasant or troublesome

We can't just look the other way while these violations of human rights continue to occur.

Examples of look the other way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jeffrey Epstein created an empire that exploited and trafficked girls and young women while powerful people looked the other way. — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Whether to look the other way for people like me, or to flag us to insure that there were enough spots for those who genuinely needed them. — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

The SafeSport list was intended to address the decades-old problem of coaches who were accused of abuse but were able to continue working with young athletes for years, often as sports governing bodies looked the other way. — Molly Hensley-Clancy, ProPublica, 20 Aug. 2026

Every big investment firm has piled into insurance, turning the risk dial up and printing money for themselves while regulators and ratings agencies looked the other way. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for look the other way

• cyperaceae
• immunoassay
• rubiaceae
• umbelliferae
• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae