Crossword Genius

When reporters give a Venetian the spin I pretend not to see (4,1,5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

turn a blind eye

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pretend not to see' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'when reporters give a venetian the spin i' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found within the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'i' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for turn a blind eye that I've seen before include "Pretend not to have seen" , "Refuse to acknowledge" , "Ignore -- brush aside" , "Disregard deliberately" , "Deliberately be oblivious" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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