can't see the wood for the trees

To be unable to understand the real situation clearly because you're involvement in it make you loose focus of what is really important

In selling hats at the fair John would not lower the price a single penny . So while he argues that the full price need to be paid to gather as much funds as possible for charity he can't see the wood for the trees, losing sales all day long and collecting much less money than the other that were willing to sell their hat for a little less.

by ninuzzu December 10, 2015

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Can't see the forest for the trees

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 30, 2016

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