Pronunciation: [blˈɪŋkɪŋ at] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "blinking at" can seem a little confusing at first because it contains a silent letter. The "k" in the word "blinking" is not pronounced, rather it is used to indicate that the "i" preceding it should be pronounced as a short "i" sound (as in the word "it"). The word "at" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, indicated in IPA as /æ/. So, "blinking at" is pronounced as /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ æt/.
"Blinking at" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a person's act of intentionally overlooking or disregarding something questionable, unpleasant, or against one's moral standards. The phrase is often used to describe a situation where someone deliberately chooses not to acknowledge, recognize, or show concern about a particular issue or behavior. The person may seem indifferent, dismissive, or unbothered despite being aware of the matter.
This expression can apply to various contexts, such as social, ethical, or professional scenarios. It can describe an individual's response when faced with a morally ambiguous situation, where they choose to turn a blind eye or play down the significance of what is happening. For example, a manager who ignores inappropriate workplace behavior or a person who fails to address their friend's harmful actions.
The term "blinking at" implies a conscious decision to ignore or tolerate something that most individuals would consider concerning or unacceptable. It suggests a lack of action, accountability, or moral courage on the part of the person involved. Synonyms for "blinking at" include disregarding, turning a blind eye, overlooking, or being complicit.
Overall, "blinking at" conveys the idea of deliberately avoiding confronting or acknowledging an issue, often with the aim of preserving one's comfort, avoiding conflict, or maintaining the status quo.
The phrase "blinking at" does not have a specific etymology as it is composed of two separate words, "blink" and "at". The word "blink" originated from Old Norse "blinka", meaning "to flicker" or "to shine faintly", which later evolved into Middle English "blinken". It refers to the quick opening and closing of the eyes. The word "at" is a preposition that derives from Old English "æt" and has the same meaning as it does today. When combined, the phrase "blinking at" does not have a unique etymology of its own but rather combines the individual origins of the constituent words.
