Justice versus conscience

The key points of the expression “turn a blind eye” are as follows:

1. Deliberate Ignorance or Overlooking: The expression implies a deliberate act of ignoring or overlooking something, usually something undesirable or unacceptable.

2. Lack of Action or Intervention: It suggests a failure or refusal to take any action or intervention, despite being aware of the situation.

3. Willful Disregard: It conveys a sense of willful disregard, where the person chooses to ignore or overlook something intentionally, often for personal reasons or to avoid confrontation or inconvenience.

4. Context of Undesirable or Unacceptable Situations: The phrase is commonly used in the context of situations that are considered undesirable or unacceptable, such as misconduct, wrongdoing, or unethical behavior.

5. Historical Origin: The phrase is believed to have originated from Admiral Horatio Nelson’s alleged act of holding a telescope to his blind eye during the Battle of Copenhagen, representing a deliberate act of ignoring a signal. This historical context adds depth and meaning to the expression.

6. Moral or Ethical Implications: “Turn a blind eye” can also carry moral or ethical implications, as it suggests a lack of responsibility or accountability in addressing an issue or problem.

Overall, “turn a blind eye” conveys the idea of intentional ignorance or overlooking of a situation without taking appropriate action, often in situations where action may be expected or required.