ostrich
B2Neutral, can be formal or informal depending on usage; the metaphorical sense is common in evaluative/proverbial contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A large, flightless bird native to Africa, with a long neck and legs, the largest living bird species.
A person who refuses to acknowledge or confront unpleasant or problematic realities; derived from the (incorrect) folk belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when threatened.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word primarily denotes the animal (literal sense). Its metaphorical sense is well-established, often pejorative, and used to criticize willful ignorance or avoidance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use literal and metaphorical senses identically.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations for the metaphorical usage in both varieties.
Frequency
Frequency of use is comparable. The metaphorical idiom 'to bury one's head in the sand like an ostrich' is equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the ostrich (as a species)an ostrich (an individual bird)play the ostrich (verb phrase, metaphorical)be an ostrich (copula + noun, metaphorical)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bury/have one's head in the sand (like an ostrich)”
- “ostrich-like attitude/policy”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's ostrich strategy regarding market changes led to its downfall."
Academic
"The study critiques the ostrich paradigm in early climate change policy."
Everyday
"You can't just be an ostrich about your health problems."
Technical
"The ostrich (Struthio camelus) exhibits bipedal cursorial locomotion."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tends to ostrich whenever difficult questions are raised in meetings.
- Stop ostriching and deal with the complaint.
American English
- The senator was accused of ostriching on the issue for months.
- You can't just ostrich your way through this crisis.
adjective
British English
- His ostrich-like behaviour is frustrating the entire team.
- They adopted an ostrich policy towards the financial warnings.
American English
- That's an ostrich approach to the problem.
- She has an ostrich attitude about her responsibilities.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ostrich is a very big bird.
- I saw an ostrich at the zoo.
- An ostrich can run faster than a horse.
- Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird.
- Politicians are often accused of having an ostrich-like attitude to bad news.
- The metaphor of the ostrich burying its head is used to describe avoidance.
- The cabinet's collective decision to ostrich in the face of the scandal was a catastrophic failure of leadership.
- Her research deconstructs the ostrich narrative as a tool of political rhetoric.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'OSTRICH' sounds like 'AUS-TRICHk' - imagine an Australian (AUS) trick where someone tries to hide by sticking their head in a trick (TRICHk) hole, like the mythical ostrich.
Conceptual Metaphor
IGNORANCE/AVOIDANCE IS BURYING ONE'S HEAD (LIKE AN OSTRICH); STUBBORN IGNORANCE IS BEING AN OSTRICH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation 'страус' is correct for the animal.
- The metaphorical sense translates directly and is understood: 'вести себя как страус'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'ostritch', 'austrich'.
- Incorrect plural: 'ostriches' is correct, not 'ostrich'.
- Believing the literal truth of the head-burying myth when using the metaphor.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of calling someone 'an ostrich' in a debate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a common myth. Ostriches dig holes in the sand to lay their eggs, and they may lower their heads to inspect or turn the eggs, which may have given rise to the false belief.
Yes, informally. To 'ostrich' means to avoid or ignore an unpleasant reality (e.g., 'He ostrich-ed the problem'). This usage is derived from the metaphorical sense.
It is accepted in many formal contexts (e.g., journalism, academic writing) as a recognized metaphorical idiom. However, it can be considered clichéd.
Ostriches are native to the savannas, Sahel, and arid regions of Africa.