Spanish speakers use a large number of idiomatic expressions in everyday life, and many of them can be a real challenge for students of Spanish as a foreign language.
One of these expressions is “hacer la vista gorda”, a phrase whose meaning is not literal and requires a bit of explanation to be fully understood.
In this post, you’ll learn what it means, when it’s used, and how you can apply it in your Spanish conversations to sound more natural and fluent.
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What does “hacer la vista gorda” mean?
When we talk about “hacer la vista gorda,” we’re referring to an expression that means to deliberately ignore something. Basically, it means that we choose not to see—or to pretend not to have seen—an action or situation, usually because it benefits us or because we don’t want to make things complicated.
For example, if someone sees another person doing something wrong but decides not to say anything, we can say that they are “haciendo la vista gorda” (turning a blind eye).
In other words, it’s about closing one’s eyes to a mistake or fault that, under other circumstances, one might point out or correct.
When do we use the expression “hacer la vista gorda”?
The expression “hacer la vista gorda” is used in situations where something is wrong or out of place, but someone decides to ignore it on purpose.
This act of ignoring is not necessarily negative—it can be motivated by different reasons: avoiding conflict, being tolerant, or simply not seeing the need to intervene.
To give you an idea, here are some common situations where it’s used:
- At work. For example, if we see a coworker breaking a rule but don’t want them to get into trouble, we decide not to say anything.
- In the family. Parents might “hacer la vista gorda” when their children misbehave a little, to give them some freedom or avoid an argument.
- In social situations. Sometimes, we ignore certain comments or behaviors to avoid tension or problems in a group conversation.
Examples with the expression “hacer la vista gorda”
Let’s look at some examples to better understand how this expression is used in different contexts:
- “El profesor hizo la vista gorda cuando vio que algunos niños hablaban en clase.”
(The teacher turned a blind eye when he saw some children talking in class.) - “Mi madre hace la vista gorda si no hago mi cama un día.”
(My mother turns a blind eye if I don’t make my bed one day.) - “En el parque, algunos padres hacen la vista gorda cuando sus hijos se saltan una fila.”
(In the park, some parents turn a blind eye when their kids cut in line.) - “Mi amigo siempre llega tarde, pero hago la vista gorda porque es muy divertido estar con él.”
(My friend is always late, but I turn a blind eye because he’s so fun to be with.) - “El jefe hizo la vista gorda cuando vio que algunos empleados estaban usando el móvil en el trabajo.”
(The boss turned a blind eye when he saw some employees using their phones at work.) - “A veces hago la vista gorda cuando mi hermano come dulces antes de la cena.”
(Sometimes I turn a blind eye when my brother eats sweets before dinner.) - “Los vecinos hicieron la vista gorda con el ruido de la fiesta porque sabían que era una ocasión especial.”
(The neighbors turned a blind eye to the party noise because they knew it was a special occasion.) - “Mi abuela hace la vista gorda cuando los nietos dejan juguetes tirados en el salón.”
(My grandmother turns a blind eye when the grandkids leave toys scattered in the living room.)
Is it an informal or formal expression?
“Hacer la vista gorda” is a neutral expression, meaning it can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example, it’s common to hear it in a conversation among friends or even in a workplace setting.
In more serious situations, such as professional meetings, it can serve as a colloquial way to soften an observation without losing seriousness.
However, in formal documents or academic writing, it’s better to use alternatives like “ignorar intencionadamente” or “pasar por alto.” That way, the language stays appropriate for the context.
In short, its use is flexible, but it always depends on the tone and level of formality of the situation.
Differences between “hacer la vista gorda” and similar expressions
In Spanish, there are other expressions that may sound similar but have a different meaning. It’s important to understand the differences to avoid confusion and communicate the right message.
Is it the same as “hacerse el loco”?
No. “Hacerse el loco” means to pretend not to understand something or pretend to be unaware of a situation, even though we actually are. The difference is subtle, but “hacerse el loco” involves acting innocent or distracted, while “hacer la vista gorda” involves a conscious decision to ignore something.
And is it the same as “mirar hacia otro lado”?
In some situations, they can be used similarly, but “mirar hacia otro lado” (to look the other way) is more literal and is generally used when ignoring something uncomfortable or embarrassing, especially in social or communal contexts.
To sum up, “hacer la vista gorda” is an expression that allows us to express tolerance, understanding, or simply the choice to ignore something in certain situations.
It’s not always easy to know when to use it, but with practice and exposure to real Spanish, this expression can become a useful tool to help you communicate more naturally—just like a native speaker would.
Remember that, as with any idiomatic expression, context and intention are key to conveying the right message.
We hope this guide has helped you better understand the meaning and uses of “hacer la vista gorda” and that you feel encouraged to use it in your Spanish conversations.
