The Beginnings of 12 Everyday Expressions You Use Without Knowing Why

"Turn a Blind Eye" — Admiral Nelson's Defiance

The phrase "turn a blind eye" is used to describe the act of ignoring or overlooking something, often intentionally. Its origins are attributed to the legendary British naval hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, who famously ignored a signal to retreat during the Battle of Copenhagen by raising his telescope to his blind eye. His defiance led to a significant victory, and the expression became synonymous with willful ignorance. The transition from a literal act of defiance to a figurative expression highlights the human tendency to selectively perceive reality. As the phrase entered common vernacular, it came to represent the broader experience of choosing to ignore inconvenient truths or difficult situations. This evolution reflects the universal human experience of grappling with perception and the ways in which language captures the nuances of awareness.