English

Alternative forms

• see the forest through the trees
• see the wood for the trees
• see the forest but for the trees
• see the trees through the forest (very rare)

Verb

see the forest for the trees ‎(third-person singular simple present sees the forest for the trees, present participle seeing the forest for the trees, simple past saw the forest for the trees, past participle seen the forest for the trees)

1. (idiomatic) To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the big picture, or the broader, more general situation.

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

2. (idiomatic, in the negative, by extension) To be overwhelmed by detail to the point where it obscures the overall situation.

Usage notes

• This is almost always used in negative constructions, often starting with can't, as it is a negative polarity item.

Translations

See also

• big picture
• bigger fish to fry
• bird's-eye view
• gestalt
• gist
• grand scheme
• overview