not see the forest for the trees
idiom
US
: to not understand or appreciate a larger situation, problem, etc., because one is considering only a few parts of it
Examples of not see the forest for the trees in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some vendors who recently have been forced to hire a SQIL might not see the forest for the trees; possibly interpreting the program as either punitive, surveilling or both.
—
Steve Tengler, Forbes, 26 May 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steve Tengler, Forbes, 26 May 2021
Dictionary Entries Near not see the forest for the trees
not see the forest for the trees
Cite this Entry
“Not see the forest for the trees.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20see%20the%20forest%20for%20the%20trees. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share