Idiom – Elephant In The Room

Elephant In The Room – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

An obvious problem or situation that people avoid talking about.

Origin:

The phrase was first used with its modern meaning in the  1950s, although it’s first ever recorded use was in 1935, when the expression meant, “something obvious and incongruous”. 

Usage:

1. Not to bring up the elephant in the room, but why are your clothes so wet? It certainly isn’t raining.
2. Let’s address the elephant in the room: our students’ test scores are falling, and if they fall even further down the line, the school will lose its funding.
3. None of the political parties are bringing up the elephant in the room: the rising cost of living.
4. You can ignore the elephant in the room forever. At some point you’re going to have to deal with your problems.
5. For the past few elections, the elephant in the room has always been the poor quality of public housing. 
6. I don’t want to bring up the elephant in the room, but these drinks are so overpriced!
7. Who wants to bring up the elephant in the room and tell the manager that we’ve broken our hotel room window?
8. Allow me to bring up the elephant in the room and tell you that you’re not welcome at our club anymore because of your uncouth behaviour with our waiters in the past.