conspicuous by its absence

conspicuous by (one's)/it's absence

Especially noticeable because of 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.
See also: absence, by, conspicuous
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

conspicuous by its absence

Also, conspicuous by one's absence. Glaringly obvious by the fact of not being there. For example, One agenda item concerning publicity is conspicuous by its absence, or The bride's father was conspicuous by his absence. The idea is ancient; it was expressed by the Roman writer Tacitus, concerning the absence of Junia's brother and husband at her funeral procession. [Mid-1800s]
See also: absence, by, conspicuous
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

conspicuous by its absence

Very obvious through nonattendance. This oxymoron, which goes back to ancient Rome, applies to people or objects that attracted attention because they were expected to be present but weren't. An example would be a close relative who either wasn't invited or chose not to attend a family function. Some literary commentators contend that the phrase has become a cliché, but it's now used so rarely, you may—although at your peril—claim its wit to be your own.
See also: absence, by, conspicuous
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • conspicuous by (one's)/it's absence
  • conspicuous by absence
  • conspicuous by your absence
  • conspicuous by your/its absence
  • be conspicuous by (one's) absence
  • conspicuous
  • make a (big) thing (out) of (something)
  • make a mountain of a molehill
  • make a mountain out of a molehill
  • strain at a gnat
References in periodicals archive
but with one key accolade conspicuous by its absence - a Blue Flag Award.
WE SAY
The December 2011 dog made a stunning eight-bend debut in a trial stakes for the 714m event at Crayford last month and had been quoted as low as 8-1 by the sponsor from an opening 50-1 only for his name to be conspicuous by its absence from the entries.
Rambo's injury blow
Comment of the Day PS20 IN this so-called Christian country of ours - conspicuous by its absence under an avalanche of greed and selfishness - the true meaning of Christmas is buried.
Comment of the Day
As community leaders debated what to do about the problemif it is, in fact, a problemone suggestion was conspicuous by its absence: No one proposed that we simply stop doing censuses of Jews.
Trivialized Bloodshed: Our Literary Critic's Weekly 'Daf Yomi' Talmud Study
But while there's something undeniably fascinating about the way "Fairhaven" repeatedly avoids predictable payoffs for portentous dramatic setups, narrative momentum is conspicuous by its absence. The low-key indie seems best suited for homescreen platforms.
Fairhaven
Summary: Since the so-called Arab Spring began a year and a half ago, there has been one cause conspicuous by its absence: that of Palestine.
Palestine's winter
THE Government has been very conspicuous by its absence in either not condemning or condoning the hefty energy price rises.
Energy price rise concerns; YourSay
Yet, Chester's participation in the 410-2010 events is conspicuous by its absence. Fair enough, there's no Hadrian's Wall to illuminate but why can't the home to the biggest of the 18 remaining amphitheatres in Britain at least host a conference, day school or even a seminar?
Celebrate Chester; emails &letters
The study said: "A 'safety culture' was conspicuous by its absence from respondents' discourses of their prescribing errors, the reported culture of their working environments and the reported actions of other doctors.
Pharmacists spot errors by doctors
As for the great American nation, the so-called leader of the free world, their lead on this is conspicuous by its absence.
Letter: The BIG issue - Sink this piracy peril
However, one subject was conspicuous by its absence. As the Greeks argued, a sound mind requires a sound body.
Conspicuous by its absence
But in this catalogue of building blocks in New Hampshire's better foundation there was one particularly high-profile piece of legislation that was particularly conspicuous by its absence: the civil unions bill.
Civil defense
Yet it is conspicuous by its absence on Radio Wales.
Letter: Missing the music
However, when the newcomer arrives, later this year, the estate version will be conspicuous by its absence. It has been ditched by public demand, or rather the lack of it, with just a handful managing to find buyers.
Lex in line to be rare motor
Eriksson's name was conspicuous by its absence from the statement, only fuelling speculation that his job is on the line, which the FA were made aware of before it was posted on their website.
FOOTBALL: Threat to Eriksson grows