Elephant in the Room

When people mention "the Elephant in the Room", they're referring to something they assume everyone knows, but no one wants to talk about because it's awkward, taboo, or likely to incite conflict. The phrase originated from a Russian fable written by Ivan Krylov in 1814.

This phrase is unrelated to the tale of the Blind Men and the Elephant, which is frequently referenced in meeting books to explain the importance of including diverse perspectives in conversations.