suspend one’s disbelief: Idiom Meaning and Origin

Suspend one's disbelief is an idiom that is used to describe the act of consciously setting aside one's skepticism or doubts in order to fully engage with and enjoy a work of fiction or art. This idiom is often associated with the experience of watching a movie, reading a book, or attending a play, where the audience willingly accepts the fantastical or unrealistic elements presented to them, despite knowing that they are not true.

The origin of the idiom can be traced back to the English poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who coined the phrase in his biographical work "Biographia Literaria" in 1817. In the book, Coleridge discussed the concept of "poetic faith," which he defined as the reader's willingness to temporarily suspend their disbelief and enter into the imaginative world created by the poet. This concept was later expanded upon by the playwright, philosopher, and critic John Dryden in his essay "Of Dramatic Poesy" in 1668.

In his essay, Dryden argued that the success of a play depends on the audience's ability to set aside their natural skepticism and embrace the fictional world presented on stage. This act of setting aside disbelief is similar to the idiom "make believe," where individuals pretend or imagine something to be true. When engaging with a work of fiction, whether it's a book or a play, individuals actively participate in a shared illusion, willingly suspending their disbelief to fully immerse themselves in the story.

The idiom "suspend one's disbelief" gained wider recognition and popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the field of literary criticism and film studies. It has become a common phrase among writers, critics, and scholars to describe the mental and emotional process that occurs when engaging with a work of fiction.

Another related idiom is "believe one's eyes." When individuals suspend their disbelief, they are able to believe what they see, even if it may seem impossible or unreal. This act of believing what one's eyes perceive goes hand in hand with suspending disbelief, as it allows individuals to fully immerse themselves in the visual elements of a work of fiction or art.

Similarly, the idiom "believe one's ears" can also be related to suspending disbelief. When individuals suspend their disbelief, they not only believe what they see but also what they hear. They accept the dialogue, sounds, and music in the work of fiction as part of the narrative, even if they are aware that it is not real.

There is another related idiom, "believe it or not," which represents the acceptance of something surprising or hard to believe. When individuals suspend their disbelief, they are essentially saying "I believe it, even if it seems unlikely or unbelievable." This willingness to accept the fictional elements presented in the work is a key aspect of suspending disbelief.

Lastly, the idiom "take leave of one's senses" can also be connected to suspending disbelief. When individuals suspend their disbelief, they temporarily let go of their usual logical and rational thinking, allowing themselves to embrace the imaginative and fantastical aspects of a work of fiction.

The idiom "suspend one's disbelief" represents the conscious act of temporarily setting aside one's skepticism or doubts in order to fully engage with and appreciate a work of fiction or art. It originated in the writings of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and John Dryden, and has since become a commonly used phrase in the fields of literature, film studies, and criticism. By suspending disbelief, the audience is able to fully immerse themselves in the world of the narrative and experience the intended emotional impact. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the human capacity for imagination and empathy.