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3. have blinders on

have blinders on

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have blinders on

to not be able to recognize or accept what is happening around you I don't know why I thought he was innocent - I guess I had blinders on.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put blinders on (to refuse to accept something): They put blinders on because they found it easier to ignore her behavior than to do something about it.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of blinders (pieces of material attached next to a horse's eyes to keep it from seeing anything on either side)

See also: blinder, have, on