idiom
The Elephant in the Room
the EL-uh-funt in the room
/ðə ˈɛlɪfənt ɪn ðə ruːm/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
theelephantintheroom
Dictionary meaning
An obvious problem or difficult topic that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss or acknowledge.
Examples
- The team kept discussing minor issues while the elephant in the room — the failing product launch — went unaddressed.
- Budget cuts were the elephant in the room at every department meeting.
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