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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'not see the forest for the trees.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near 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 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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