[Idiom] MISS THE FOREST FOR THE TREES. - Seeing the Bigger Picture - English Idioms Explained
Miss the forest for the trees.
overlook the big picture
Ever heard someone say 'Miss the forest for the trees'? This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is so focused on the small details that they fail to understand the overall context or the larger picture. It’s like closely examining each leaf on a tree without realizing you’re in the middle of a vast forest. This phrase can be a helpful reminder in both personal and professional settings, urging us to step back and consider what’s truly important or overarching, rather than getting bogged down by minutiae.
Example Sentences
He tends to miss the forest for the trees.
He tends to focus on small details and miss the overall situation.
Don't miss the forest for the trees in this analysis.
Don't focus on small details and miss the overall situation in this analysis.
Her focus on details made her miss the forest for the trees.
Her focus on details made her miss the overall situation.