What it means
To deliberately ignore something dodgy going on right in front of you, usually because calling it out would be awkward or cost you something. You look the other way and pretend you never clocked it.
Usage examples
"The bouncer looked the other way when the regulars slipped in past closing, no questions, no fuss."
"The manager just looked the other way while the till kept coming up short."
"You cannot keep looking the other way every time he bends the rules."
"Everyone knew the lads were skimming a bit off deliveries, but the supervisor looked the other way and kept his tea warm."
"You saw him fiddling the numbers and still looked the other way, so don't act shocked now."
Where it comes from
This one grows straight out of the literal image. If you look the other way, you physically turn your eyes from what’s in front of you. By the 19th century it was already being used figuratively in English for choosing not to notice something, especially when stepping in would be awkward, costly, or a proper headache.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Explorer of Imaginary Jungles Official watcher of this expression
Tell me, what have you got for me?