look the other way

Idioms  

1. Deliberately overlook something, especially something of an illicit nature. For example, They're not really entitled to a discount but the sales manager decided to look the other way. This expression uses the other way in the sense of “away from what is normal or expected.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look the other way

One way of doing that is by making people look the other way.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

They stay silent, avoid attention and confrontation, and look the other way.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission is trying to get valuations back in line with reality, by punishing firms that mismark their companies and auditors that look the other way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026

Some businesses didn’t allow underage workers, they said, while others look the other way and don’t inquire about ages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025

And today, we’ll look the other way while you do business at the fence.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

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Related Words

• avoid
• discount
• fail
• forget
• neglect
• overlook
• reject
• scorn

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