Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
polite fiction en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(idiomatic) A social scenario in which all participants are aware of a truth, but pretend to believe in some alternative version of events to avoid conflict or embarrassment.
Susan is only able to deal with the fact that her husband has sex with the man down the street through a polite fiction. She knows what her husband is really doing when he says he is going "to buy cigarettes".
Forms
Relateds
denial · elephant in the room