a blind spot

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   An area you cannot see, especially one beside or behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show.

   Grammar: A countable noun phrase, so it can be plural: check your blind spots. The article 'a' changes to 'the' or 'your' as needed.

   Patterns

   • check your blind spot
   • in someone's blind spot
   • a blind spot in something

   Always check your blind spot before changing lanes.

   The cyclist was riding in the driver's blind spot.

   A small car can easily disappear into a truck's blind spot.

2. 2phrasecountablefigurative

   A subject or fact that a person or group does not notice or understand, often without realizing it.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'for' or 'in': a blind spot for detail; a blind spot in the system.

   Patterns

   • a blind spot for something
   • a blind spot in something
   • have a blind spot about something

   Many managers have a blind spot about how stressed their staff are.

   Costs turned out to be a major blind spot in the company's planning.

   He's brilliant at math but has a real blind spot for spelling.

3. 3phrasecountabletechnicalmedical

   The small area of the retina where the optic nerve leaves the eye, so no light is detected there.

   Grammar: Used in medical and biology texts, usually with 'the': the blind spot.

   Patterns

   • the blind spot
   • the blind spot of the eye

   The blind spot is where the optic nerve joins the back of the eye.

   Your brain fills in the blind spot so you don't notice the gap in your vision.

Word forms

Common combinations

check your blind spot

She checked her blind spot before pulling out.

in someone's blind spot

The motorcycle was right in his blind spot.

have a blind spot about something

The team has a blind spot about customer complaints.

a blind spot for something

He has a blind spot for his own mistakes.

a major blind spot

Language testing was a major blind spot in the report.

Synonyms and how they differ

gap

A gap is any missing part or space; a blind spot is specifically something you fail to notice, often without realizing it.

weakness

A weakness is a general fault; a blind spot is more about not seeing a problem at all.

Commonly confused: a blind spot or blindside?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a blind spot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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