1
general::
Phrase(s): wink at something
to pretend not to see something; to condone something wrong. (See also blink at something W.) • The police officer winked at my failure to make a complete stop. • I cannot wink at blatant infractions of the law!, Phrase(s): wink at someone
to close one eye at a person as a sign of friendliness or flirtation. • She winked at him and he was shocked. • I hope she winks at me again.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Deliberately overlook, pretend not to see, as in Sometimes it's wise to wink at a friend's shortcomings. This idiom, first recorded in 1537, uses wink in the sense of ‘‘close one's eyes."
American Heritage Idioms