What does the English phrase 'ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM' mean?

Here's an interesting phrase that

we use quite often in English

when there is a thing that we won't

or don't want to discuss or talk about

we can describe something that might

be embarrassing or awkward to talk about

as being the elephant in the room

a thing that people feel ashamed

or embarrassed about discussing

can be described as

the elephant in the room

a group of people might sit around

and they all know that there is something

that they have to talk about or discuss

however no one wants to talk about it

no one wants to discuss that particular thing

it is the elephant in the room

people sometimes feel awkward or ashamed

or embarrassed when talking  about a particular thing

even though it is completely obvious

especially these days

you have to be so careful about what you say

because you might upset or offend someone

so these days we might be even more cautious

about discussing certain things

do you have an elephant in the room?

is there something that you want to talk about

that is clear and obvious

but you don't want to just in case

you cause a problem?

it is 'the elephant in the room'.