see the forest for the trees

English - English

Definition of see the forest for the trees in English English dictionary

To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the big 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.

Hyphenation

see the For·est for the trees

Turkish pronunciation

si dhi fôrıst fôr dhi triz

Pronunciation

/ˈsē ᴛʜē ˈfôrəst ˈfôr ᴛʜē ˈtrēz/ /ˈsiː ðiː ˈfɔːrəst ˈfɔːr ðiː ˈtriːz/