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Which author is widely credited for giving us the idea of the elephant in the room?

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elephant in the room

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt in thuh room, room] / ˈɛl ə fənt ɪn ðə ˈrum, ˈrʊm /

idiom

1. a problem or issue that everyone is aware of but that no one wants to talk about.

   Her dad’s depression has been the elephant in the room at family gatherings.

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Etymology

Origin of elephant in the room

First recorded in 1935–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

elephant in the room

Possibly he thought it would be an elephant in the room when he was doing his act.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

Don’t miss: If Social Security’s funding crisis is the elephant in the room, this is the mouse everyone has overlooked.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

There’s an elephant in the room in every scene, and its lens follows the subject everywhere.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

"It's sort of the elephant in the room surrounding the company," said Nelson.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

“What. Let’s stop acting like there isn’t a big gay elephant in the room and try to move on.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

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