The expression “can’t see the forest for the trees” means being too focused on details to see the bigger picture. It’s an old idiom that can also be reversed. Taking a step back and seeking outside advice can help solve problems. The saying dates back to the 1500s and can also be reversed to mean being too broad in observation. Executives are often accused of not seeing the trees for the forest.
The saying that someone “can’t see the forest for the trees” means that they are so wrapped up in the details of a situation that they lose sight of the larger problem. It’s a fairly common expression in English, although the use of “for” can be confusing for some people, as it’s a more archaic meaning in this idiom. This expression can also be reversed, indicating that a person loses sight of the details and becomes engrossed in the whole.
Basic meaning
Those who fail to see the forest for the trees have typically become so focused on the details that they begin to ignore the bigger picture. People might also phrase this expression as “you can’t see the wood for the trees” which is the more common form in the UK. A person accused of not being able to see the forest may want to take a step back from the situation, to regain a broader perspective on a problem.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the minutiae of a situation, especially when someone has been working on an issue for an extended period of time or has only been working on one aspect of a larger problem. Being aware of this trend can make people better at problem solving, as they know it’s a good idea to occasionally talk to other people about aspects of the project they’re working on. Such outside advice about a situation can help a person gain perspective and approach a problem from a new perspective.
History of expression
As early as the 1500s, “you cannot see the forest for the trees” was widespread enough to be published in collections of proverbs and slang. As anyone who has been to a forest knows, it can be easy to fall into the trap of looking only at individual trees, rather than considering the forest as a whole. Some confusion may arise over the use of “wood” rather than “forest” because it may imply that a person focuses on the wood of the trees rather than on the objects themselves. In this usage, however, “wood” refers to a small forest, rather than the substance of which the trees are made.
Inversion and other meanings
This proverb is also sometimes reversed, as in “you can’t see the trees for the forest,” referencing the idea that it’s also possible to be too broad when observing a situation. Someone who makes sweeping statements without considering various details could exhibit a logical flaw just as much as someone who focuses only on the details. It is common for executives to be accused of not seeing the trees for the forest, especially when they make challenging and impossible requests that suggest a complete unfamiliarity with the intricacies of a project.
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