elephant in the room

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt in thuh room, room] / ˈɛl ə fənt ɪn ðə ˈrum, ˈrʊm /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of elephant in the room

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

While these tech companies were booming as the use of smartphones and apps proliferated, she felt there was an elephant in the room.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

At times, you could almost forget about the elephant in the room.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

My answer is psychology—the psychology of the elephant in the room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

“The elephant in the room is that our current energy plans simply won’t get us there fast enough,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025

Everywhere I go, I feel like the elephant in the room.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen