goldfish bowl

noun

1. Also calledfishbowl a glass bowl, typically spherical, in which fish are kept as pets
2. a place or situation open to observation by onlookers

Idioms and Phrases

A situation affording no privacy, as in Being in a goldfish bowl comes with the senator's job—there's no avoiding it . The glass bowl allowing one to view goldfish from every direction was transferred first, in the 1920s, to a police interrogation room equipped with a one-way mirror. By the mid-1900s the expression was being used more broadly.

Example Sentences

Evans, who has spoken openly about his mental health struggles said three-time champion Jones taught him a lot about being in the "goldfish bowl".

From BBC

But being in a goldfish bowl can also have the opposite effect, as demonstrated in a scene in a huge Texas steakhouse where the friends stop off for dinner.

From BBC

England have remained relaxed despite being in the goldfish bowl.

From BBC

This mercurial talent retired when he was only 27 years-old, likening the pressure of carrying the hopes of a rugby-obsessed nation to "living in a goldfish bowl".

From BBC

“It’s understandable that Prince Harry chose to leave and pursue a private life. What happens if Prince George thinks that Uncle Harry was right and it’s not worth living in a goldfish bowl? What then?”

From Washington Post