look the other way

phrase

: to direct one's attention away from something unpleasant or troublesome
We can't just look the other way while these violations of human rights continue to occur.

Examples of look the other way in a Sentence

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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.
Coaches, both winning and losing, point it out every night in preview and postgame media, yet leadership just issues fines and looks the other way. — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The former Army officer told me the danger is that commanders will begin looking the other way when violations occur. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 At the final whistle, Mbappe clenched his fists and appeared to look the other way as Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill sought a handshake. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Some hotels in South Beach and Key West allow (or look the other way) topless sunbathing on their private property. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for look the other way

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Browse Nearby Words

look (someone) in the face
look the other way
look the part
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Cite this Entry

“Look the other way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/look%20the%20other%20way. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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