can't see the wood for the trees

Related to word: see

Idiom

Definition

  1. To be so focused on the details of a situation that one fails to understand the overall picture.

    • He was so busy dealing with the day-to-day tasks that he couldn't see the wood for the trees and forgot the actual goal of the project.

    • We can't see the wood for the trees; we must consider the long-term impact of this policy on all departments.

    • Sometimes, she focuses too much on the details and can't see the wood for the trees, missing more important information.