wink at

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to connive at; disregard

   the authorities winked at corruption

Idioms and Phrases

Deliberately overlook, pretend not to see, as in Sometimes it's wise to wink at a friend's shortcomings. This idiom, first recorded in 1537, uses wink in the sense of “close one's eyes.”

Example Sentences

The line is supposed to be a little funny, a wink at the fashion industry’s love of effusive word salad descriptions that are only conveyed in the actual garments about half the time.

From Salon

The “Alligator Alcatraz” storefront is cartoon gators slyly winking at us from under red baseball caps: It’s just a joke, and you’re in on it.

From Los Angeles Times

There are good reasons for that, thanks to the many hindsight analyses of ways Cosby may have winked at his alleged crimes through situations written in the show.

From Salon

My mother-in-law would wink at this point and say, “that was my cousin Sam Walton. That’s what they say anyway.”

From Salon

It likes to nod and wink at its subjects, including those in on the joke.

From Salon

Related Words

• acquit 
• condone 
• defend 
• exempt 
• exonerate 
• explain 
• forgive 
• indulge 
• let go 
• pardon 
• relieve 
• spare 
• tolerate