To miss the forest for the trees
Example: Don't miss the forest for the trees by focusing on small details.
Definition
"To miss the forest for the trees" is an expression meaning to focus so much on small details that one fails to understand or appreciate the larger situation or overall context. It warns against losing sight of the bigger picture by concentrating excessively on minor parts.
Etymology
The phrase "to miss the forest for the trees" originates from a metaphorical observation about perception, highlighting how focusing too much on individual trees can prevent one from seeing the entire forest. It first appeared in English in the 16th century and has been used to caution against narrow-mindedness or over-focusing on minutiae.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To miss the forest for the trees" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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