Modul 5: Idiom 53: Blind Leading the Blind

Blind Leading the Blind

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘Blind Leading the Blind.’ Imagine not being very good at something. Then imagine trying to advise someone else how to do this thing that you aren’t very good at. Maybe you aren’t good at mathematics, but you have to teach your child how to do really complicated calculations for their homework. This is the meaning of  ‘blind leading the blind.’ It’s leading or showing or telling someone how to do something who is equally as incompetent as you are.

So what is the origin of this idiom?

This idiom originated from the Bible. In the book of Matthew chapter 15 verse 14, it says, “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Jesus, who’s talking at this point, is describing the Pharisees who were supposed to be intelligent, religious leaders and teachers. Often in the Bible, Jesus puts them to shame. If a blind man leads another blind man, then they will ultimately end up in danger because neither of them can see. The danger  in the story that Jesus describes is ‘falling into a pit.’

Take a look at our illustration.

Can you see the two people that are quickly approaching a steep drop? They don’t seem too worried though, do they? That’s because they don’t know what’s about to happen -they are both blind. And even the little goat on the mountain opposite them thinks they are foolish to be in this situation since neither man is any wiser. Look at their clothes. Their clothes are very old, just like the clothes worn during the times of Jesus where our idiom originates.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

I was driving us down to the beach but neither of us knew the way. It was like the blind leading the blind.

“Do you know how to change this tyre, or is this going to be a blind leading the blind situation?”

I was asked to train the apprentice on how the new computer systems worked, but I’m still trying to figure it out! Talk about blind leading the blind!

It was like the blind leading the blind when she took me out on that walking tour. She had no idea what she was talking about!

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. Jill didn’t know how to use the washing machine, so she asked her brother Jack.  “I think it will be OK if you put those red socks in with the white sheets,” said Jack.  Was it like the blind leading the blind? Yes. Jack’s advice meant they were likely to end up with pink sheets.
2. Darrell was at his first lesson with a golf pro. He learned how to grip the club, how to aim, and how to swing, and he managed to hit quite a few straight balls. Was it like the blind leading the blind?  No. The golf pro was experienced in teaching people golf.
3. Carey was just as lost in the maze as the other children. “Don’t worry everyone,” he said. “I know the way out.”  He said it with such confidence that pretty soon all the other children were hopelessly following him around and around in circles.  Was this like the blind leading the blind? Yes. Carey didn’t have a clue where he was going.
   1. Professor Richards was teaching his first-year physics students. Was this like the blind leading the blind?  No. The professor has a deep understanding of physics and he’s skilled at teaching others.
4. Robert laughed when he overheard his grandad trying to explain to his grandma how to use the computer when he’d only used it once himself.  “It’s like the blind leading the blind,” Robert said to himself.  Was Robert right?  Yes. It’s really hard to explain something that you don’t fully understand yourself.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.