The expression hacer la vista gorda means to ignore, to disregard, to overlook someone’s behavior, which should be punished otherwise. For example, a figure of authority may choose to pretend not to have seen or noticed someone’s wrongdoing or misdemeanor in order to avoid conflict, to spark controversy, to blow up a minor issue out of proportion, or for many other reasons. To turn a blind eye and to look the other way are two English expressions that convey the same meaning. You see what’s going on but, for whatever reason, you decide not to do anything about it.
To fly blind, take a shot in the dark
Dar Palos de Ciego
To turn a blind eye
Hacer la vista gorda
To not mince your words
No tener pelos en la lengua
To say something without meaning it
Decir algo con la boca pequeña
To go back on your word
Donde dije digo, digo Diego
To not say a word
Sin decir ni pío
To bite your tongue
Morderse la lengua
Silence is golden
En boca cerrada no entran moscas
To give someone a piece of your mind
Cantar las cuarenta
To be gorgeous
¡Estar como un queso!
In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
En el reino de los ciegos, el tuerto es el rey
To beat around the bush
Irse por los cerros de Úbeda
To be at a loss, be lost
Perder el norte
To look after number one
Barrer para casa
All that glitters is not gold
No es oro todo lo que reluce
To make a scene
Montar un pollo
To be dressed up to the nines
Ir de punta en blanco
To make a scene
Montar el número
To have something on the tip of your tongue
Tener algo en la punta de la lengua
To beat around the bush
Marear la perdiz
To cut to the chase
Ir al grano
To see stars, be in severe pain
Ver las estrellas
To go on for a while
Tener cuerda para rato
A word is enough for the wise
A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan
To save the day, save face
Salvar los muebles
To do an
Despedirse a la francesa
To talk to a brick wall
Predicar en el desierto
To brush someone off, to flunk
Dar calabazas
Silence implies consent
Quien calla, otorga
To not name any names
Se dice el pecado pero no el pecador