The phrase “elephant in the room” is an idiom that means a big, obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of, but no one wants to talk about.

• It’s called an “elephant” because it’s huge and impossible to ignore.
• Yet people avoid discussing it, often out of discomfort, fear, embarrassment, or denial.

Example in everyday life:

• In a meeting, everyone knows the company is losing money, but nobody mentions it. The financial crisis is the “elephant in the room.”
• In relationships, it might be a problem or conflict that both people sense but avoid addressing directly.

Psychology perspective: Avoiding the “elephant” often leads to:

• Increased tension and anxiety.
• Miscommunication and misunderstandings.
• Emotional avoidance, which can harm relationships.

Neuroscience insight: Our brain avoids uncomfortable conversations because confronting the issue activates the amygdala, which processes threat and stress. But ignoring it doesn’t make it go away — it often makes the problem grow.

In short: “Elephant in the room” = the big obvious issue everyone knows exists but no one talks about.