elephant in the room
noun phrase
: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging
Examples of elephant in the room in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there is the elephant in the room: consumer risk.
—
Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Once a favorite to win the lead actress statue, the first out transgender person to be nominated for the honor became the metaphorical elephant in the room at Sunday’s ceremony.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
What else is there to talk about but the (GOP) elephant in the room?
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025
The potential elephant in the room here is whether the Bruins would trade with the Leafs and vice versa.
—Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Once a favorite to win the lead actress statue, the first out transgender person to be nominated for the honor became the metaphorical elephant in the room at Sunday’s ceremony.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
What else is there to talk about but the (GOP) elephant in the room?
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025
The potential elephant in the room here is whether the Bruins would trade with the Leafs and vice versa.
—Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
Articles Related to elephant in the room
Cite this Entry
“Elephant in the room.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20in%20the%20room. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share