can't\ see\ the\ woods\ for\ the\ trees

can't\ see\ the\ woods\ for\ the\ trees
• can't see the forest for the trees
• can't see the wood for the trees
• can't see the woods for the trees
v. phr.
To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future achievement.

Teachers sometimes notice language errors and do not see the good ideas in a composition; they cannot see the woods for the trees.

The voters defeated a bond issue for the new school because they couldn't see the forest for the trees; they thought of their taxes rather than of their children's education.

We should think of children's growth in character and understanding more than of their little faults and misdeeds; some of us can't see the wood for the trees.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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  • can't\ see\ the\ forest\ for\ the\ trees — • can t see the forest for the trees • can t see the wood for the trees • can t see the woods for the trees v. phr. To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • can't\ see\ the\ wood\ for\ the\ trees — • can t see the forest for the trees • can t see the wood for the trees • can t see the woods for the trees v. phr. To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • can't see the wood for the trees — or[can t see the woods for the trees] or[can t see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • can't see the wood for the trees — or[can t see the woods for the trees] or[can t see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • see — See: CAN T SEE THE WOODS FOR THE TREES, LET ME SEE or LET S SEE …   Dictionary of American idioms

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  • see — See: can t see the woods for the trees, let me see or let s see …   Словарь американских идиом

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