Meaning
"Elephant in the room"은 누가 보아도 명확하고 중요한 문제이지만, 모두가 그 존재를 무시하거나 언급하지 않으려 하는 상황을 의미합니다. 마치 방 안에 큰 코끼리가 있음에도 불구하고 이를 보지 않으려는 것과 비슷한 상황을 비유적으로 표현한 것입니다.
이 표현은 주로 회의나 토론에서 중요한 문제를 피하거나 애써 외면할 때 사용됩니다. 예를 들어, 회사의 재정 문제가 심각하지만 아무도 이를 언급하지 않고 다른 주제만 이야기할 때, 이 문제를 "Elephant in the room"이라고 할 수 있습니다.
즉, "Elephant in the room"은 모두가 인지하고 있지만 불편하거나 난처해서 쉽게 이야기하지 못하는 주제를 가리킬 때 쓰입니다. 이를 통해 대화에서 무시된 중요한 문제를 다시 주목하게 만들 수 있습니다.
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!
