See the forest for the trees

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.2 Alternative spellings 1.3 See also

English

Verb

see the forest for the trees

1. ((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the bigger picture, or the broader, more general situation. Generally used in the negative.

   Smith is good at detail, but can't see the forest for the trees.

Alternative spellings

• see the forest through the trees
• can't see the wood for the trees

See also

• forest
• gestalt
• tree