Meaning: An obvious problem that people avoid discussing
Hindi: स्पष्ट समस्या जिस पर चर्चा से बचा जाए
Synonyms: unspoken issue, taboo topic
Asked in: SSC CPO 2024 T-1 · SSC CPO 2022 T-1 · SSC Delhi Police HCM 2022 · SSC GD 2021 T-1
elephant in the room in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Ignoring his father’s warnings, he said, “an elephant in the room” to his mother.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) There is an obvious problem
The idiom "an elephant in the room" refers to a significant and obvious problem, issue, or situation that everyone is aware of but deliberately avoids discussing because it may be uncomfortable, embarrassing, or inconvenient.
Why this meaning fits:
• An elephant is enormous, so its presence in a room would be impossible to ignore.
• Similarly, the idiom highlights an issue that is clearly evident but remains unaddressed.
Example:
• Context: A family gathers for dinner after a big argument the previous day. Nobody mentions the argument.
• Explanation: The argument is the "elephant in the room" — it’s an obvious issue everyone knows about but avoids discussing.
In the given sentence, the perso - SSC CPO 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
Even when the child accused the relative of inappropriate behaviour, the parents continued to play perfect hosts at the party instead of addressing the elephant in the room.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) A big problem everyone is ignoring or afraid to talk about
Answer: 2 (A big problem everyone is ignoring or afraid to talk about)
Solution:
The idiom “the elephant in the room” refers to a major or obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but chooses not to discuss, usually because it’s uncomfortable, sensitive, or awkward.
In the sentence, although the child accused a relative of inappropriate behaviour (a serious issue), the parents acted as if nothing happened — they ignored the big problem.
✔ Therefore, the correct meaning is:
“A big problem everyone is ignoring or afraid to talk about.”
Why other options are incorrect:
• Revealing the secrets – this would be the opposite of ignoring.
• Ignoring someone who seeks attention through fals
Examples
- “No one mentioned the elephant in the room during the meeting.”
elephant in the room – questions
What is the meaning of elephant in the room in Hindi?
elephant in the room means “स्पष्ट समस्या जिस पर चर्चा से बचा जाए” in Hindi. In English: An obvious problem that people avoid discussing
What are the synonyms of elephant in the room?
Synonyms of elephant in the room: unspoken issue, taboo topic.
Has elephant in the room been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – elephant in the room has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2024 T-1, SSC CPO 2022 T-1, SSC Delhi Police HCM 2022, SSC GD 2021 T-1.