VOCABULARY - IDIOMS

Can’t See the Forest for the Trees

Meaning:

Is unable to maintain a wider perspective

Examples:

  • Alex argues about petty cash and overlooks the budget—he can't see the forest for the trees.
  • The way he's obsessing over one doorknob when we're renovating the entire house makes me think that he can't see the forest for the trees.
  • Mark is so focused on product details that he can't see the forest for the trees when it comes to the overall needs of the company.
  • He is to busy on the outside looking in that he cant see the forest for the trees.
  • I don't think we can see the forest for the trees at this stage, so let's get an outsider to take a look at the project and give us a progress report.
  • He is so caught up in her affectation that he can't see the forest for the trees.