Idioms help us talk about feelings and ideas in fun ways. Some idioms use the idea of “blindness” to describe how people might not see the truth or are unaware of something happening around them. These phrases don’t always mean someone can’t see with their eyes. Instead, they show how people can miss signs or make choices without knowing all the facts.
When we hear phrases like “turn a blind eye” or “blind leading the blind,” they help paint a picture in our mind. These idioms are used in books, TV shows, and everyday talk. They can describe mistakes, ignoring problems, or following others without knowing where to go. In this article, we’ll learn 28 idioms about blindness, what they mean, and how to use them.
Idioms About Blindness
1. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To ignore something wrong on purpose
Example Sentence:
• The teacher turned a blind eye to the students whispering.
• He turned a blind eye to the mess in the kitchen.
Other ways to say: Ignore it, pretend not to notice
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is linked to Admiral Nelson, who used his blind eye to ignore signals in battle.
Usage: When someone sees a problem but chooses not to act.
2. Blind as a bat
Meaning: Very poor vision or not noticing obvious things
Example Sentence:
• Without her glasses, she’s as blind as a bat.
• He walked past the huge sign—blind as a bat!
Other ways to say: Can’t see well, totally missed it
Fun Fact/Origin: Bats are not actually blind, but the phrase stuck from old beliefs.
Usage: Used when someone misses what’s clear to others.
3. In the dark
Meaning: Not knowing what is happening
Example Sentence:
• I was in the dark about the surprise party.
• She kept me in the dark about her plans.
Other ways to say: Not informed, clueless
Fun Fact/Origin: Being in the dark means there’s no light—just like not having information.
Usage: When someone is left out of the news.
4. Blind spot
Meaning: Something a person doesn’t notice or understand well
Example Sentence:
• He has a blind spot for his own mistakes.
• That question hit my blind spot—I didn’t study it.
Other ways to say: Missed part, weak point
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from driving, where mirrors don’t show certain areas.
Usage: When someone doesn’t see their own error or weakness.
5. Love is blind
Meaning: People in love don’t see each other’s flaws
Example Sentence:
• He didn’t see her lies because love is blind.
• Love is blind—she forgave him right away.
Other ways to say: Can’t see faults, head over heels
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying dates back to Shakespeare’s plays.
Usage: When someone overlooks problems in a relationship.
6. Blind leading the blind
Meaning: Someone without knowledge guiding others who also don’t know
Example Sentence:
• Neither of us knew the way—it was the blind leading the blind.
• It’s like the blind leading the blind when they try to fix the computer.
Other ways to say: No one knows what’s going on
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a Bible verse about false guides.
Usage: When people without skill are helping others.
7. Flying blind
Meaning: Doing something without enough information
Example Sentence:
• I’m flying blind on this project—I don’t know the rules.
• She flew blind into the new job.
Other ways to say: Guessing, unsure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from pilots flying without visibility.
Usage: When someone works without guidance.
8. Blind guess
Meaning: A guess made without any clues
Example Sentence:
• I made a blind guess and got the right answer.
• That was just a blind guess—I had no idea.
Other ways to say: Wild guess, random answer
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blind” here means no sight, no help.
Usage: Used when someone guesses without knowing.
9. Blind date
Meaning: A meeting with someone you’ve never seen before, often for romance
Example Sentence:
• She was nervous before the blind date.
• I met my friend’s cousin on a blind date.
Other ways to say: First-time meet, mystery date
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in the 20th century as a dating setup
Usage: When people are matched without knowing each other.
10. Blind faith
Meaning: Complete trust without proof
Example Sentence:
• He followed the leader with blind faith.
• She believed with blind faith that it would work.
Other ways to say: Total trust, without proof
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase warns about believing without thinking.
Usage: When someone trusts something completely without facts.
11. Deaf, dumb, and blind
Meaning: Not seeing, hearing, or speaking about something wrong
Example Sentence:
• They acted deaf, dumb, and blind during the fight.
• He went deaf, dumb, and blind to the warning signs.
Other ways to say: Ignoring all signs
Fun Fact/Origin: Now seen as outdated and disrespectful
Usage: Describes someone ignoring every part of a problem.
12. Blind trust
Meaning: Trusting someone fully without checking the facts
Example Sentence:
• She had blind trust in her friend’s advice.
• He gave blind trust to the stranger.
Other ways to say: Total faith, no questions asked
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “blind faith” but used more in everyday talk
Usage: When someone trusts someone else without proof.
13. Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: To choose not to listen
Example Sentence:
• He turned a deaf ear to the teacher’s advice.
• She turned a deaf ear to her parents.
Other ways to say: Ignore, don’t listen
Fun Fact/Origin: Pairs often with “turn a blind eye”
Usage: When someone chooses not to hear warnings.
14. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
Meaning: Ignore all wrongdoing
Example Sentence:
• They acted like “see no evil” monkeys during the prank.
• He followed the rule: see no evil, hear no evil.
Other ways to say: Stay quiet, look away
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from Japanese statues of three wise monkeys
Usage: When people avoid trouble by pretending not to notice.
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15. As blind as justice
Meaning: Treating everyone the same, not showing favoritism
Example Sentence:
• The rules were followed strictly—as blind as justice.
• The coach was as blind as justice and didn’t pick favorites.
Other ways to say: Fair, unbiased
Fun Fact/Origin: Justice is often shown wearing a blindfold in statues.
Usage: When fairness is shown without choosing sides.
16. Strike blind
Meaning: To be suddenly blinded (used more in stories or jokes)
Example Sentence:
• He joked that the mess would strike his mom blind!
• She said the mess was enough to strike someone blind.
Other ways to say: Too messy, shocking
Fun Fact/Origin: Old-fashioned phrase used in drama and comedy
Usage: To express surprise or shock in a funny way.
17. Blind rage
Meaning: Anger so strong, it clouds judgment
Example Sentence:
• He acted in blind rage and broke his toy.
• She was in blind rage when her game got deleted.
Other ways to say: Furious, out of control
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blind” here means unable to think clearly
Usage: When anger makes someone act without thinking.
18. Blind luck
Meaning: Success by chance, not skill
Example Sentence:
• He found his keys by blind luck.
• It was blind luck that we won the prize.
Other ways to say: Pure chance, by accident
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how things sometimes happen for no reason
Usage: When someone succeeds without trying or planning.
19. Blind alley
Meaning: A situation or path that leads nowhere
Example Sentence:
• That idea turned out to be a blind alley.
• They followed the plan into a blind alley.
Other ways to say: Dead end, no results
Fun Fact/Origin: Taken from roads that don’t connect to others
Usage: When a plan or path doesn’t work out.
20. Leading someone blind
Meaning: Guiding someone without knowing how
Example Sentence:
• He was leading them blind through the rules.
• I don’t want to lead you blind into trouble.
Other ways to say: Uninformed guide, unsure help
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “blind leading the blind”
Usage: When a leader lacks the knowledge to help others.
21. Blind to the truth
Meaning: Refusing to see what is real
Example Sentence:
• She was blind to the truth about her friend.
• He stayed blind to the truth no matter what.
Other ways to say: Refuse to see, ignore facts
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blind” here means not seeing what’s clear
Usage: When people won’t admit what’s really happening.
22. Blind panic
Meaning: Sudden fear without thinking
Example Sentence:
• She ran in blind panic when the alarm rang.
• He acted out of blind panic during the test.
Other ways to say: Scared, not thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines fear with being unaware
Usage: When fear causes people to react without planning.
23. Blind fury
Meaning: Strong anger that takes over
Example Sentence:
• He threw the controller in blind fury.
• She shouted in blind fury after losing.
Other ways to say: Mad, lost control
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “blind rage”
Usage: Describes someone angry and unaware of their actions.
24. A blind corner
Meaning: A place where you can’t see what’s coming
Example Sentence:
• Be careful—it’s a blind corner near the driveway.
• She turned the blind corner and nearly hit a pole.
Other ways to say: Hidden turn, not visible
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in driving and walking safety
Usage: When someone can’t see what’s ahead.
25. Blind ambition
Meaning: Strong desire for success without care for others
Example Sentence:
• His blind ambition made him cheat.
• She let blind ambition hurt her friendships.
Other ways to say: Too eager, selfish goals
Fun Fact/Origin: Ambition becomes “blind” when it goes too far
Usage: When someone wants to succeed no matter the cost.
26. Go in blind
Meaning: Start something without information
Example Sentence:
• I went in blind to the new math topic.
• She joined the team blind, not knowing the rules.
Other ways to say: Go unprepared, no idea
Fun Fact/Origin: From going somewhere without seeing
Usage: When someone tries something without knowing much.
27. Blind justice
Meaning: Treating everyone equally
Example Sentence:
• The judge used blind justice in the case.
• The rules showed blind justice to all.
Other ways to say: Fair, equal
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from images of justice wearing a blindfold
Usage: Describes fairness without bias.
28. Blind hope
Meaning: Hoping for something without reason
Example Sentence:
• He held on with blind hope it would work.
• She kept blind hope that the weather would clear.
Other ways to say: Wishful thinking, hoping anyway
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blind” means without proof
Usage: When someone hopes even if it’s unlikely.
Quiz: Idioms About Blindness
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “turn a blind eye” mean?
A) To look closely at something
B) To ignore something on purpose
C) To fix a mistake
2. If someone is “blind as a bat,” what are they like?
A) They see everything clearly
B) They love animals
C) They don’t see well or miss obvious things
3. What does “in the dark” mean?
A) To be outside at night
B) To not know what is going on
C) To turn off the lights
4. What is a “blind spot”?
A) A place where it’s bright
B) A part someone doesn’t notice or understand
C) A new toy
5. What does “blind faith” mean?
A) Trusting with no reason
B) Looking for answers
C) Asking lots of questions
6. If someone goes on a “blind date,” what are they doing?
A) Meeting someone they already know
B) Staying home
C) Meeting someone new without seeing them before
7. What is “blind luck”?
A) Winning something by accident
B) Planning really well
C) Practicing a lot
8. What does “blind rage” mean?
A) Being very happy
B) Being super angry and not thinking
C) Laughing a lot
9. If someone is “flying blind,” what are they doing?
A) Riding a plane with a friend
B) Working with no information or help
C) Learning to drive
10. What does “blind to the truth” mean?
A) Refusing to see what is real
B) Learning the truth
C) Looking through a telescope
Answer Key
- B) To ignore something on purpose
- C) They don’t see well or miss obvious things
- B) To not know what is going on
- B) A part someone doesn’t notice or understand
- A) Trusting with no reason
- C) Meeting someone new without seeing them before
- A) Winning something by accident
- B) Being super angry and not thinking
- B) Working with no information or help
- A) Refusing to see what is real
Wrapping Up
Idioms about blindness show how people act when they don’t see or understand something. These phrases don’t always mean someone can’t see with their eyes. Instead, they help us talk about being unaware, guessing, or ignoring things. By using these idioms, we make everyday talk more fun and clear.
You can now use idioms like “turn a blind eye” or “flying blind” when talking about things people miss or don’t understand. Keep learning and notice when people use these sayings in books or shows. They’ll help you understand what others mean, even when they don’t say it directly.
