English Explanatory Dictionary

ostrich policy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The tendency to ignore obvious problems and pretend they do not exist; ostrichism.

Pronunciation

En-au-ostrich policy.ogg

Word forms

ostrich policy ostrich policies

Etymology

From ostrich + policy. Referring to the common misconception that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when they notice danger. Perhaps a calque, compare ostrich politics.

Related words

ostrich politics bury one's head in the sand head in the sand
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