[Idiom] NOT SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES. - How to Perceive the Bigger Picture Over Minor Details

miss the bigger picture due to focusing on details

The idiom 'not see the wood for the trees' serves as a perfect metaphor for a common human predicament: missing the larger situation because of a focus on minor details. Originating from an old saying used in various forms since the 16th century, it typically implies a situation where the details or complications cloud one's ability to grasp the main issue. For instance, while working on a project, you might get so bogged down by the specifics of a small task that you forget what the project's main objective was in the first place. The proverbial 'trees' are the minor, sometimes trivial details, while the 'wood' (or 'forest' in some variations) represents the broader, more important perspective. Understanding this idiom can encourage more strategic thinking and help in prioritizing what really matters in personal and professional settings.

Example Sentences

1. Don't get so focused that you can't see the wood for the trees.

   Don't become so focused on details that you miss the bigger picture.

2. He's missing the big picture and can't see the wood for the trees.

   He’s overlooking the overall situation by focusing too much on details.

3. If you focus too much, you won't see the wood for the trees.

   Focusing too much on details can make you miss the overall situation.