Elephant in the Room vs Taboo: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
A taboo is something forbidden by culture. An 'elephant in the room' is a very obvious, shared problem that everyone is purposefully ignoring in a specific conversation.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Elephant in the Room mean?
idiom · /ˈɛl.ɪ.fənt ɪn ðə ruːm/
A major, obvious issue, problem, or uncomfortable truth that exists in plain sight but that everyone in the situation is deliberately avoiding addressing. The elephant is undeniable and yet, by mutual agreement, unnamed.
Explore Elephant in the RoomElephant in the Room in a sentence
Nobody mentioned the resignation. The elephant in the room grew enormous.
Eventually someone has to name the elephant. It doesn't get smaller by being ignored.
What does Taboo mean?
noun / adjective · /təˈbuː/
A prohibition against discussing or doing something — a subject, action, or object that is forbidden by social, religious, or cultural convention. Taboos define the limits of the acceptable and mark the boundaries of the community.
Explore TabooTaboo in a sentence
Captain Cook brought the word 'taboo' back from Tonga in 1777 — one of English's genuine borrowings from the Pacific.
Every culture has taboos around death, sex, and food — the body's three great territories.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Elephant in the Room and Taboo?
A taboo is something forbidden by culture. An 'elephant in the room' is a very obvious, shared problem that everyone is purposefully ignoring in a specific conversation.
What does Elephant in the Room mean?
A major, obvious issue, problem, or uncomfortable truth that exists in plain sight but that everyone in the situation is deliberately avoiding addressing. The elephant is undeniable and yet, by mutual agreement, unnamed.
What does Taboo mean?
A prohibition against discussing or doing something — a subject, action, or object that is forbidden by social, religious, or cultural convention. Taboos define the limits of the acceptable and mark the boundaries of the community.