can't\ see\ the\ forest\ for\ the\ trees

can't\ see\ the\ forest\ for\ the\ trees
• can't see the forest for the trees
• can't see the wood for the trees
• can't see the woods for the trees
v. phr.
To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future achievement.

Teachers sometimes notice language errors and do not see the good ideas in a composition; they cannot see the woods for the trees.

The voters defeated a bond issue for the new school because they couldn't see the forest for the trees; they thought of their taxes rather than of their children's education.

We should think of children's growth in character and understanding more than of their little faults and misdeeds; some of us can't see the wood for the trees.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • can't\ see\ the\ wood\ for\ the\ trees — • can t see the forest for the trees • can t see the wood for the trees • can t see the woods for the trees v. phr. To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • can't\ see\ the\ woods\ for\ the\ trees — • can t see the forest for the trees • can t see the wood for the trees • can t see the woods for the trees v. phr. To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • can't see the forest for its trees — If someone can t see the forest for its trees, they are too focused on specific details to see the picture as a whole …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • can't see the wood for the trees — or[can t see the woods for the trees] or[can t see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • can't see the wood for the trees — or[can t see the woods for the trees] or[can t see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • can't see the forest for the trees — I am so close that I cannot see the whole picture or the big picture    I m so involved in teaching that I ve lost my view of education. I can t see the forest for the trees …   English idioms

  • can't see the forest for the trees — unable to judge or understand the whole picture because you are looking at the small parts of it He has no real understanding of most problems as he always fails to see the forest for the trees …   Idioms and examples

  • can't see the forest for the trees — focus so much on the details so as not to be able to see the big picture …   English contemporary dictionary

  • forest for the trees — (USA) If someone can t see the forest for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the bigger picture …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • forest for the trees — (USA)    If someone can t see the forest for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the bigger picture.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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