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wink at

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wink at someone

to close one eye at a person as a sign of friendliness or flirtation. She winked at him and he was shocked. I hope she winks at me again.

See also: wink

wink at something

to pretend not to see something; to condone something wrong. (See also blink at something {2}.) The police officer winked at my failure to make a complete stop. I cannot wink at blatant infractions of the law!

See also: wink

wink at

Deliberately overlook, pretend not to see, as in Sometimes it's wise to wink at a friend's shortcomings. This idiom, first recorded in 1537, uses wink in the sense of "close one's eyes."

See also: wink

wink at

v.

1. To close and open the eyelid of one eye deliberately in order to convey a message, signal, or suggestion to someone: I knew she liked me when she winked at me.

2. To pretend not to see something; ignore something: The monarchy winked at corruption in the ministry.

See also: wink