blinders
Definition
- Noun (plural):
- Horse equipment: "Blinders" are leather or cloth pieces attached to a horse's bridle to block its peripheral vision, preventing it from being startled by movements beside or behind it. This helps the horse focus on the path ahead.
- Figurative (psychological): "Blinders" can refer to a figurative barrier that prevents someone from seeing or considering alternative perspectives, often due to prejudice, habit, or narrow-mindedness.
Usage Examples
- Literal (horse): (The equipment blocked the horse's side view.)
- Figurative (psychological): (His narrow perspective prevented him from considering other viewpoints.)
Advanced Usage
"to take off the blinders": to remove or overcome a figurative restriction on perception.
- After traveling abroad, she took off the blinders and saw her own culture more critically. (She gained a broader perspective.)
"blinders on": to be in a state of deliberate ignorance or focus.
- He kept his blinders on regarding the company’s financial troubles. (He refused to acknowledge the problems.)
Variants and Related Words
Blinder (singular noun): a single piece of the equipment; also British slang for an excellent performance.
- The goalkeeper played a blinder in the match. (He performed exceptionally well.)
Blind (adj): unable to see; lacking perception.
- He was blind to the dangers of the situation. (He failed to notice the risks.)
Synonyms
- Blinkers (British English): the same equipment for horses.
- The horse was fitted with blinkers to calm it during the parade.
Related Idioms
"Wearing blinders": to be oblivious to obvious facts or alternatives.
- She was wearing blinders when it came to her son’s bad behavior. (She refused to acknowledge it.)
"Like a horse with blinders": to be narrowly focused on one goal or idea.
- He worked like a horse with blinders, ignoring all interruptions. (He was completely focused on his task.)