WINKED AT Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "winked at" refers to an act of deliberately overlooking or ignoring a certain behavior, action, or situation without openly acknowledging or reprimanding it. It suggests a lenient or tolerant attitude towards something that might normally be disapproved of or considered improper. The act of "winking" implies a secret or hidden communication, making it a metaphorical gesture within this idiom.
When someone "winks at" something, they purposefully choose not to take action or condemn it, often due to a desire to maintain harmony or avoid confrontation. This can be seen as a form of tacit acceptance or an unspoken agreement to overlook certain misconduct, providing a level of unofficial approval.
The phrase is commonly used to describe situations where rules or norms are bent or broken, but no action is taken to correct or punish the transgressor. It can also imply a level of complicity, where others are aware of the wrongdoing and choose to remain silent or turn a blind eye.
Nevertheless, "winked at" is not absolute permission or endorsement. It suggests a nuanced approach where societal, cultural, or contextual factors play a role in determining whether to address the illicit behavior or allow it to continue unchallenged.
Common Misspellings for WINKED AT
- qinked at
- ainked at
- sinked at
- einked at
- 3inked at
- 2inked at
- wunked at
- wjnked at
- wknked at
- wonked at
- w9nked at
- w8nked at
- wibked at
- wimked at
- wijked at
- wihked at
- winjed at
- winmed at
- winled at
- winoed at
Etymology of WINKED AT
The phrase "winked at" originates from the Middle English word "winken", which means "to close one's eyes briefly". It derives from the Old English word "wincian", meaning "to close the eyes". In the context of the phrase "winked at", it refers to closing one eye as a signaling gesture or with a hidden meaning. Over time, the phrase has developed metaphorically to imply deliberately ignoring or pretending to not notice something wrong or questionable.
