The expression hacer la vista gorda means to ignore, to disregard, to overlook someone’s behavior, which should be punished otherwise. For example, a figure of authority may choose to pretend not to have seen or noticed someone’s wrongdoing or misdemeanor in order to avoid conflict, to spark controversy, to blow up a minor issue out of proportion, or for many other reasons. To turn a blind eye and to look the other way are two English expressions that convey the same meaning. You see what’s going on but, for whatever reason, you decide not to do anything about it.
The adjective "gordo/gorda" literally means fat, overweight. But it is also used metaphorically to describe a lack of refinement, finesse, subtlety, detail, style, tact. In Spanish, we have the phrases "sal gorda" and "pintor de brocha gorda," just to mention a couple. "sal gorda" is unrefined salt; "pintor de brocha gorda" refers to a person who makes his or her living painting houses, both indoors and outdoors, or ships, for example, as opposed to a "pintor de cuadros", or, in other words, an artist. So, when someone says, "Soy pintor o soy pintora", he or she must specify what kind of a painter he or she is, "de brocha gorda" or "de cuadros". Needless to say, a social statue goes attached to it. That is, "un pintor de brocha gorda" has less social prestige than an artist. Following the same reasoning, in the expression "hacer la vista gorda," "gorda" means not sharp, poor, or deficient. So, in a way, someone pretends to be blind, when in reality he or she has perfectly seen the whole situation and therefore he or she is completely aware of it.
Pasar por alto is another expression whose meaning is similar to "hacer la vista gorda". Pasar algo por alto means to overlook in order to ignore and forgive.
El profesor pasó por alto el mal comportamiento de un alumno para no crear más problemas.
El policía pasó por alto el hecho de que el conductor no llevaba puesto el cinturón de seguridad y no le puso una multa.
El profesor y el policía "hicieron la vista gorda".
When I when to register for classes at the university, they asked me for a document that I didn't have with me. Luckily, the girl at admissions was really nice and turned a blind eye.
Although the professor saw the students cheating in the exam, he turned a blind eye and didn't fail them because that was his last exam as a professor in that school.
Next time you see an injustice, do not look the other way and report it.
The adjective "gordo/gorda" literally means fat, overweight. But it is also used metaphorically to describe a lack of refinement, finesse, subtlety, detail, style, tact. In Spanish, we have the phrases "sal gorda" and "pintor de brocha gorda," just to mention a couple. "sal gorda" is unrefined salt; "pintor de brocha gorda" refers to a person who makes his or her living painting houses, both indoors and outdoors, or ships, for example, as opposed to a "pintor de cuadros", or, in other words, an artist. So, when someone says, "Soy pintor o soy pintora", he or she must specify what kind of a painter he or she is, "de brocha gorda" or "de cuadros". Needless to say, a social statue goes attached to it. That is, "un pintor de brocha gorda" has less social prestige than an artist. Following the same reasoning, in the expression "hacer la vista gorda," "gorda" means not sharp, poor, or deficient. So, in a way, someone pretends to be blind, when in reality he or she has perfectly seen the whole situation and therefore he or she is completely aware of it.
Pasar por alto is another expression whose meaning is similar to "hacer la vista gorda". Pasar algo por alto means to overlook in order to ignore and forgive.
El profesor pasó por alto el mal comportamiento de un alumno para no crear más problemas.
El policía pasó por alto el hecho de que el conductor no llevaba puesto el cinturón de seguridad y no le puso una multa.
El profesor y el policía "hicieron la vista gorda".
Ejemplo 1:
Cuando fui a hacer la matrícula a la universidad, me pidieron un documento que no llevaba encima. Por suerte, la chica de secretaría era muy simpática e hizo la vista gorda.When I when to register for classes at the university, they asked me for a document that I didn't have with me. Luckily, the girl at admissions was really nice and turned a blind eye.
Ejemplo 2:
Aunque el profesor vio a los alumnos copiar en el examen, hizo la vista gorda y no les suspendió porque ese era su último examen como profesor de ese colegio.Although the professor saw the students cheating in the exam, he turned a blind eye and didn't fail them because that was his last exam as a professor in that school.
Ejemplo 3:
La próxima vez que veas una injusticia, no hagas la vista gorda y denúnciala.Next time you see an injustice, do not look the other way and report it.