Cool MateMeaning of The elephant in the room
In simple words: A big problem that people avoid discussing.
The elephant in the room in a sentence
How to use The elephant in the room
Grammar pattern
standalone expression
Memory hint
Imagine a large elephant standing in a small room, everyone sees it but ignores it.
Related words
Collocations with The elephant in the room
- address the elephant in the room
- ignore the elephant in the room
- point out the elephant in the room
Synonyms for The elephant in the room
- unspoken issue
- avoided topic
- hidden problem
- ignored concern
Common mistakes with The elephant in the room
- Used in the wrong context, as it refers specifically to unaddressed issues.
- Confused with similar phrases like 'tackling the issue', which implies asking about it.
- Misused when the issue is already being discussed openly.
The elephant in the room appears in
The elephant in the room in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
الفيل في الغرفة
مشكلة كبيرة يتجنب الناس مناقشتها.
- Bengaliবাংলা
The elephant in the room
একটা বড় সমস্যা যা নিয়ে কেউ কথা বলতে চায় না।
- GermanDeutsch
Der Elefant im Raum
Ein großes Problem, über das niemand sprechen will.
- SpanishEspañol
el elefante en la habitación
Un problema grande del que la gente evita hablar.
- Persianفارسی
فیل در اتاق
یه مشکل گنده که همه از حرف زدن در موردش طفره میرن.
- FrenchFrançais
Le problème évident que tout le monde ignore
Un gros problème dont les gens évitent de parler.
- Hindiहिन्दी
कमरे में हाथी
एक बड़ा समस्या जिसे लोग चर्चा करने से बचते हैं।
- ItalianItaliano
Il problema evidente che tutti ignorano
Un grosso problema di cui la gente evita di parlare.
- PortuguesePortuguês
O elefante na sala
Um grande problema que as pessoas evitam discutir.
- RussianРусский
Слон в комнате
Большая проблема, которую все избегают обсуждать.
- Urduاردو
بڑا مسئلہ جس پر بات نہیں کی جا رہی
ایک بڑا مسئلہ جس پر لوگ بات کرنے سے گریز کرتے ہیں۔
- Chinese中文
房间里的大象
一个大家心知肚明但没人愿意谈的大问题。
More s like The elephant in the room
- Come on
A phrase used to urge or motivate someone.
- Exquisite taste
A refined and distinguished understanding of quality and flavor.
- Do you want it
A question asking if someone desires something.
- MillionA1
1 000 000
- Good point
A valid or insightful remark in a discussion.
- PleaseA1
used as a polite way of asking for something or telling somebody to do something
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Frequently asked questions about The elephant in the room
What does The elephant in the room mean?
A big problem that people avoid discussing.
What is the definition of The elephant in the room?
A significant issue that is obvious but not acknowledged.
How do you use The elephant in the room in a sentence?
During the meeting, everyone avoided discussing the elephant in the room: layoffs.
Can you give another example of The elephant in the room?
Let’s address the elephant in the room; we need to talk about the budget cuts.
What are synonyms for The elephant in the room?
Common alternatives include unspoken issue, avoided topic, hidden problem, ignored concern.
What words go with The elephant in the room?
It commonly pairs with address the elephant in the room, ignore the elephant in the room, point out the elephant in the room.
What are common mistakes when using The elephant in the room?
Used in the wrong context, as it refers specifically to unaddressed issues. Confused with similar phrases like 'tackling the issue', which implies asking about it. Misused when the issue is already being discussed openly.
How do you pronounce The elephant in the room?
US: //ðə ˈɛlɪfənt ɪn ðə ruːm//, UK: //ði ˈɛlɪfənt ɪn ðə ruːm//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use The elephant in the room?
Used in discussions to highlight issues everyone is aware of but nobody wants to address. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but may feel too informal in some professional settings.