Wink at small faults.
Wink at small faults.
Meaning in plain English
An occasional small failing may deserve tolerance rather than a confrontation. Choose which imperfections need attention instead of treating every irritation as a major offence.
Example
A host overlooks a guest’s brief lateness after hearing about a delayed bus instead of making it the main subject of an otherwise pleasant meal.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Wink suggests knowingly overlooking something rather than failing to see it. The saying encourages discretion about a minor fault when insisting on correction would cause more friction than benefit. It can support a generous response among people sharing ordinary work or daily life. Small is the important limit: a repeated problem, a breach of trust or a risk to others may no longer be minor. The useful judgement considers the effect, the pattern and the fairness of overlooking it. Tolerance should not become a privilege offered to one person while others are held to a harsher standard.
When to use it
Use it when an isolated minor imperfection can reasonably be allowed to pass.
Keep in mind
Do not overlook serious or repeated harm, and apply tolerance fairly rather than according to favouritism.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1798 · Wink
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗