An elephant in the room means an obvious problem that everybody knows about but no one wants to talk about. It’s often a controversial problem or a major issue. The elephant in the room is often avoided because it would mean an uncomfortable, painful, awkward, and/or frustrating feeling for everyone involved.
Example
The interviewer asked the former president about the ‘elephant in the room‘, which was directed at his unfair and racist remarks.
I’d like to address the elephant in the room here. What are we going to do if Grandpa dies before he finalizes his will?
Let’s not tiptoe around the elephant in the room. Maybe we should live apart for awhile before the divorce.
The truth then becomes the elephant in the room; which is that our oceans are being exploited for corporate profit.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they’re also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can’t learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
