see the elephant

Idioms  

1. Experience more than one wants to, learn a hard lesson; also, see combat, especially for the first time. For example, After the expedition lost two climbers in an avalanche, they had seen the elephant and turned back, or On his first tour of duty he saw the elephant. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1835, alludes to having seen all the sights one can see, including that rare beast, and returning home unimpressed or disappointed.

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Example Sentences

“Why have we been unable to see the elephant in the room?” she said.

From Washington Post • Nov. 26, 2021

Sitting in the dark last Sunday, with his family sleeping, Collins made a decision as he watched the Indiana tape: The time for pretending he couldn’t see the elephant had passed.

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2017

"They see the elephant from different angles," said Dr Mulugetta, "and it poses its challenges."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2014

And it dictates that, eventually, you won't even see the elephant on the 50-yard line.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2012

And when you turn your head you see the elephant that was there all along, so big you didn’t notice it.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel