To become so caught up in the small details that you're unable to step back see what is going on or what will happen. Our take of reality gets bent as we are too involved.

Like when person is so focused on finding an error in day a book, that they didn't take the time to enjoy it for what it was; a story.

Another would be say a brother or siser begs you to hide them, acts nervous (you ignore this) They look out windows (you ignore this too) as you just want to catch up. They ask you to hide a knife .... a bloody knife ..

The trees fall away yet?
"Can't see the forest for the trees", Dan said.
by quietriver September 29, 2016
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When a person focuses too much on small detail (trees), and misses the big picture (forest).
Stressed out person on vacation: "we have to awake at 4:00am, eat breakfast at 5:00am, goto the tour at 6:00am, arrive at the park 1 hour later, buy this, see that, go here, go there... are you writing this down!"

me: "how about, I'm on vacation, I'll be resting and meet you for lunch."

me behind the other person's back: "yikes, that person Can't see the forest through the trees."
by johncoleman83 March 17, 2017
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What you say when you can't see your bee's
Help! I can't see my bee's!
by Snock69 September 2, 2019
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Something to say when you see a particularly unfortunate looking woman with children. It's considered a subtle way of pointing out a troll in the vicinity.

Opposite of I can see how that happened.
First example:
Guy #1: Oh my God, that woman hurts my eyes. How'd she get so many kids?
Guy #2: I can't see how that happened.

Second example:
Guy #1: Blah blah blah blah blah.
Guy #2: (nods in a direction) I can't see how that happened.
Guy #1: Thanks, I didn't look directly.
by Roll Here Eggo July 10, 2009
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Used to desribe someone who is so caught up with the big picture that they lose sight of the smaller but more important details. Opposite of can't see the wood for the trees.
"If you pay off an extra €150 a month on your mortgage, you'll pay it off two years earlier and save €4,000 altogether."

"But since my husband lost his job, we're barely making enough to pay the bills as it is; we can't afford an extra €150 every month."

"Ah, but if you just make this sacrifice now, you'll be in a much, much better position in 18 years!"

"But as I said... oh forget it, you can't see the trees for the wood."
by Rhodoferax April 12, 2013
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This term means someone is so simple minded that they can't figure out the simplest problems. Their minds are like great big empty voids of any kind of logical thought. This is why even though the can see the trees their simple minds can't grasp that's the forest.
Ray : Did you see that guy trying to change his flat tire, it took him an at least an hour.

Tony :That guy can't see the forest through the trees.
by TV CAR March 30, 2010
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A phrase coined by American heavy metal band Pantera in the 1992 track " Regular People. " This phrase simply means a person has their head so far entrenched in their anal cavity that they cannot see the obvious in front of them.

Can be used in any tense past or present.
"Hey dickhead! You can't see because your heads up your ass!"
Wow, you fucking cunt. You can't see because your heads up your ass."
by Microhard726 August 4, 2020
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