English Explanatory Dictionary

see the forest for the trees

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

En-au-see the forest for the trees.ogg

Word forms

see the forest for the trees sees the forest for the trees seeing the forest for the trees saw the forest for the trees seen the forest for the trees see the wood for the trees see the woods for the trees see the forest but for the trees see the forest through the trees see the trees through the forest miss the forest for the trees miss the wood for the trees miss the woods for the trees

Etymology

John Heywood documented the English use of the proverb in 1546.

Related words

big picture bigger fish to fry bird's-eye view gestalt gist grand scheme not see for looking overview
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