elephant in the room

[ el-uh-fuhnt in thuh room, room ]

idiom

1. a problem or issue that everyone is aware of but that no one wants to talk about:

   Her dad’s depression has been the elephant in the room at family gatherings.

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant in the room¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

This is the elephant in the room, literally the Republican elephant in the room.

From Salon

She had seen my mother, a ridiculously pregnant elephant in the room, at my aunt's house.

From Salon

So I did resist a little but it was the elephant in the room.

From Los Angeles Times

“Eventually we’ll have to address the elephant in the room and go back,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

The only other folks who addressed the elephant in the room were actually outside the room, protesting mere blocks from the DNC venue.

From Los Angeles Times