How to Pronounce "emperor's new clothes"
expression
Definition
A situation where people pretend to believe something that is clearly false or foolish, often because everyone else does or out of fear of standing out. The phrase comes from a famous story where no one admits the emperor is wearing nothing at all.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈɛmpɝɝz/ /ˈnju/, /ˈnu/ /ˈkɫoʊðz/, /ˈkɫoʊz
British English
ˈɛmpərəz/ /njˈuː/ /klˈəʊðz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
EM-prr-erz noo KLOHDHZ
UK
EM-puh-ruz nyoo KLOHDHZ
Listen in Context
Many people praised the strange painting, but it was really the emperor's new clothes.
The new policy is like the emperor's new clothes; everyone sees the problems, but no one says anything.
Julia called the latest trend in shoes the emperor's new clothes because no one dared say they looked bad.
Honestly, this expensive gadget is just the emperor's new clothes—people buy it only because it’s popular.