Looking for a phrase.

Posted by ESC November 17, 2000In reply to Looking for a phrase. posted by Btd on November 17, 2000

What is the phrase for describing the act of ignoring or overlooking what's obvious before them?
ex: A friend of mine smokes. At a gathering we all know when he sneaked out for a cigarette because he returns smelling of smoke --yet no one openly acknowledges it.

The elephant in the room?