conspicuous by your absence

conspicuous by (one's)/its absence

Especially noticeable by being missing or absent (from something). You're the loudest one in the class, so of course you're conspicuous by your absence! The governor's economic stimulus plan was conspicuous by its absence during his speech this afternoon. A: "How could you tell that I didn't add cinnamon this time?" B: "Well, it's a flavor that's pretty conspicuous by its absence."

See also: absence, by, conspicuous

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

conspicuous by your absence

obviously not present in a place where you should be.

This phrase was coined by Lord John Russell in a speech made in 1859 . He acknowledged as his source for the idea a passage in Tacitus describing a procession of images at a funeral: the fact that those of Cassius and Brutus were absent attracted a great deal of attention.

See also: absence, by, conspicuous

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

conˌspicuous by your ˈabsence

not present in a situation or place, when it is obvious that you should be there: When it came to cleaning up afterwards, Anne was conspicuous by her absence.

See also: absence, by, conspicuous

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017