English Dictionary

polite fiction

noun

(idiomatic) A social scenario in which all participants are aware of a truth, but pretend to believe in some alternative version of events to avoid conflict or embarrassment.

Polite fiction is a term used to describe a social convention or custom that is followed for the sake of politeness, even though it may not reflect reality.

意味（1）

(idiomatic) A social scenario in which all participants are aware of a truth, but pretend to believe in some alternative version of events to avoid conflict or embarrassment.

Susan is only able to deal with the fact that her husband has sex with the man down the street through a polite fiction. She knows what her husband is really doing when he says he is going to buy cigarettes.