Definition of blink away

The phrase "blink away" originated as a figurative extension of the verb "blink," which literally means to rapidly contract and relax the eyelids. This blinking motion is a natural and reflexive action of the human eye that helps to protect and clean it. In the context of the phrase "blink away," the figurative usage of "blink" is as a metaphor for quickly forgetting or overlooking something. The idea is that just as one may quickly and unconsciously blink and forget to notice something, one may similarly disregard, overlook, or forget something else with a similar suddenness and ease. This usage first appeared in print in the mid-1980s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which cited multiple instances from the early 1980s in different sources, including popular music lyric and colloquial speech. Since then, it has become a common and colloquial expression in everyday English, commonly used to encourage someone to forget a disturbing or unpleasant memory or experience, or to dismiss a temporary or fleeting irritation or annoyance. In summary, while the literal meaning of the word "blink" describes a rapid eyelid contraction, the phrase "blink away" is an extension of this meaning, utilizing it as a metaphor for the speed with which something can be forgotten or disregarded.