conspicuous by its absence

Idioms and Phrases

Also, conspicuous by one's absence . Glaringly obvious by the fact of not being there. For example, One agenda item concerning publicity is conspicuous by its absence , or The bride's father was conspicuous by his absence . The idea is ancient; it was expressed by the Roman writer Tacitus, concerning the absence of Junia's brother and husband at her funeral procession. [Mid-1800s]