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Look the Other Way

What Does "Look the Other Way" Mean?

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"Look the other way" is an English idiom. It means "to ignore or pretend not to notice something, especially something morally or legally dubious."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "look the other way" used in a sentence:
  • The security guard looked the other way while they snuck into the building.
  • Officials often look the other way when minor infractions occur during the festival.
  • He's rich and influential, so the town often looks the other way when he breaks the rules.
meaning for look the other way

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Look the Other Way" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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