the emperor's new clothes

the emperor's new clothes

Something widely accepted as true or professed as being praiseworthy due to an unwillingness of the general population to criticize it or be seen as going against popular opinion. Taken from the Hans Christian Andersen fable of the same name, in which a vain king is sold imaginary clothing (i.e. really nothing at all) by two weavers who promise him that it is visible only to the wise, and cannot be seen by those who are ignorant, incompetent, or unfit for their position. The company's newest device is, in fact, a complete waste of money, but so many people are invested in their brand loyalty that they will continue to buy and adore it like the emperor's new clothes.
See also: clothes, new
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ˌemperor’s new ˈclothes

,

the ˌemperor has no ˈclothes

used to describe a situation in which everybody suddenly realises that they were mistaken in believing that somebody/something was very good, important, etc: Soon, investors will realize that the emperor has no clothes and there will be a big sell-off in stocks.This comes from a story by Hans Christian Andersen. Two men offer to make an emperor a new suit from a very light material which they say stupid people cannot see. When the emperor puts on the suit, nobody wants to appear stupid so they all praise his new clothes. However, when a little boy asks why the emperor has no clothes on, everybody admits that they can see no clothes and that the emperor is naked.
See also: clothes, new
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • state of denial
  • wallow in the mire
  • the knives are out
  • strain at a gnat and swallow a camel
  • strain at gnats and swallow camels
  • fail to see
  • they also serve who (only) stand and wait
  • They also serve who only stand and wait
  • not about to
  • not be about to do something
References in periodicals archive
So maybe all we can do is remember how the Hans Christen Andersen fable The Emperor's New Clothes ends:
The emperor's new clothes
It's the Emperor's New Clothes everybody will be talking about though.
REVIEW The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales Liverpool Playhouse
'The Emperor's New Clothes' is a story of honesty, forgiveness and humility.
Dino Play exhibit at The Mind Museum
An adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes, this children's book is specifically designed as a launch pad for discussions and learning.
Tornado Tamer
The prosecution against Andrew Pickering and William Moloney was also likened to the fairytale of the Emperor's New Clothes.
Drugs case 'is like a Teesside Tintin video' / Andrew Pickering, right, and William Moloney, above
SIR - In April 2015 the Welsh Government, it seems, had so much time on its hands that it produced the Emperor's New Clothes Act, also known as the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
What a lot of waffle and it costs money!
The stories "The Emperor's New Clothes'' and "Katy and The Big Snow'' will be told in words and music as the Worcester Chamber Music Society presents its fourth annual free family concert at 3 p.m.
Family concert
The emperor's new clothes?; issues and alternatives in uses of the portfolio in teacher education programs.
The emperor's new clothes?; issues and alternatives in uses of the portfolio in teacher education programs
Additional new titles in this popular series include the following: "About Bats (9781601152671, $9.95)" by Sindy McKay, illustrated by Wendy Smith, and "The Emperor's New Clothes (9781601152695, $9.95)" by Sindy McKay, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Toni Goffe.
Museum Day
It's like Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes, which was immortalised in the brilliant Danny Kaye film.
Meshing the flesh; BEHIND THE HEADLINES
The analogy of the emperor's new clothes seems, in the circumstances, to be quite apt.
Comment of PS20 the Day; Letters.
Perhaps they should read the Emperor's New Clothes.
It's not my style; Mailbag letters also appear online at www.examiner.co.uk/letters Mailbag
I hope when making their new year resolutions, the stewards of the UK's financial system - be that politicians or bankers, regulators or directors, actuaries or accountants - consulted the Emperor's New Clothes and reminded themselves of the dangers of collective delusion.
How roots of global crisis are obscured; Opinion
The Emperor's New Clothes. Stephanie True Peters and Jeffrey Stewart Timmins.
Stone arch
At last, someone who is prepared to point out the emperor's new clothes, or lack of.
Don't prostitute racing; LETTERS