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

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

But I can just look the other way to some degree.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

Fans are questioning whether the official site had taken adequate steps to prevent this, or whether it chose to look the other way.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

“What is undeniable — for those who don’t look the other way — is that it has repeatedly violated those standards over the last 7 months.”

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2024

I begin to see now I’m no better than Judd Travers—willing to look the other way to get something I want.

From "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Related Words

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