1
general::
Phrase(s): look the other way
1. Lit. to look in the opposite direction. • To make sure it’s safe to cross the street, look the other way before you step off the curb. 2. Fig. to ignore something on purpose. • John could have prevented the problem, but he looked the other way. • By looking the other way, he actually made the problem worse.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Deliberately overlook something, especially something of an illicit nature. For example, They're not really entitled to a discount but the sales manager decided to look the other way. This expression uses the other way in the sense of "away from what is normal or expected."
American Heritage Idioms