put on a blindfold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on a blindfold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of covering one's eyes to block vision, often used metaphorically to indicate ignorance or willful blindness to a situation. Example: "In order to avoid seeing the surprise party preparations, she had to put on a blindfold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Gayle Newland, 25, of Willaston, Cheshire, disguised her appearance and voice, and persuaded the woman to put on a blindfold when they met up.

The Guardian

After a half-hour of doing that, I realized it would have been easier to put on a blindfold and pick the brown skin off hazelnuts with tweezers.

The New York Times

AT A Montreal business conference last week called C2MTL, participants were encouraged to put on a blindfold, slip into a dry pool filled with plastic balls, and, over loudish dance music, seek solutions with strangers to challenges ranging from cutting youth unemployment to making business ventures involving sex more respectable.

The Economist

"At best, new couples take a back-of-the-envelope approach to personal finances, and most put on a blindfold and just cross their fingers".

Forbes

To imagine a limitation in this case would require that God could know the future decisions of free creatures, but chooses instead to put on a blindfold, so to speak.

SEP

She brings me up to her guest room, says take off your clothes and put on a blindfold.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

At 11pm every Friday night he puts on a performance in his apartment for an audience of 20, all of who are blindfolded on arrival.

The Guardian - Travel

"Ante Kostelic has a reputation that he basically puts on a blindfold and starts poking holes in the snow.

The New York Times - Sports

In it, Sandra Bullock puts on a blindfold, crosses a forest and a river to take two children to safety from... something.

Vice

After following additional orders from another unsmiling staff member and putting on my blindfold the proper way, I was told my hands would be placed on the shoulders of an individual guide.

The New York Times - Arts

I start the session by lying on my back and putting on the blindfold.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase “put on a blindfold” metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the deliberate act of ignoring or being unaware of something. The phrase suggests a conscious choice to remain uninformed.

Common error

Avoid using “put on a blindfold” literally when the intention is to describe a general lack of awareness. The phrase implies a specific, intentional act, so using it in place of simpler terms like “unaware” or “ignorant” can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on a blindfold" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. Grammatically, it describes the action of covering the eyes, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig examples show both uses. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on a blindfold" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb with both literal and figurative applications. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correctly used to describe the act of covering one's eyes or, metaphorically, choosing to ignore or remain ignorant of something. Remember to use it appropriately, being mindful of its implication of intentionality. The phrase can add emphasis to the deliberate nature of ignoring facts and choosing to be ignorant, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blindfold oneself

This is a more reflexive version of the original phrase, emphasizing the act of doing it to oneself.

cover one's eyes

This is a direct and literal way to express the action of blocking vision.

wear a blindfold

Focuses on the state of having a blindfold on, rather than the action of putting it on.

obstruct one's vision

A more formal way of saying that something is blocking someone's sight.

become blindfolded

Indicates the result of someone applying the blindfold.

put on eye covers

A more descriptive and literal alternative for using a covering to block vision.

operate blindly

Implies acting without awareness or knowledge of the surroundings.

proceed without seeing

Emphasizes moving forward despite the lack of visual input.

ignore the obvious

This is a metaphorical alternative, suggesting a deliberate choice to overlook something.

turn a blind eye

Similar to ignoring the obvious, this idiom suggests a conscious decision to disregard something.

FAQs

How can I use "put on a blindfold" in a sentence?

You can use "put on a blindfold" literally, as in, "She had to "put on a blindfold" for the trust exercise" or metaphorically, such as, "The government seems to "put on a blindfold" when it comes to environmental issues".

What is a similar phrase to "put on a blindfold"?

Similar phrases include "cover one's eyes", which is a more literal description, or "turn a blind eye", which is a common idiom that means to ignore something deliberately.

Is it correct to say "put on the blindfold" or "put on a blindfold"?

While both are grammatically understandable, "put on a blindfold" is more common and natural when referring to putting on a blindfold in general. "Put on the blindfold" would be more appropriate if referring to a specific blindfold that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood.

What does it mean to metaphorically "put on a blindfold"?

To metaphorically ""put on a blindfold"" means to intentionally ignore or avoid acknowledging something, often something unpleasant or inconvenient. It implies a deliberate choice to remain uninformed.