You miss the wood for the trees by focusing only on small details.
miss the wood for the trees
idiomAlternative form of cannot see the forest for the trees.
He spent all day fixing minor typos in the report, missing the wood for the trees regarding the main argument.
By obsessing over the specific wording of the contract, the lawyers missed the wood for the trees and ignored the obvious risks to their client.
- 01
charm the birds from the trees
To behave in a very charming manner.
- 02
give someone wood
To cause someone to have an erection, usually due to sexual arousal.
- 03
give something a miss
To forgo something.
- 04
I never miss
I am aware of what is going on; I know what is happening.
- 05
kill trees
To use paper.
- 06
knock on wood
To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement.
- 07
lay the wood
to deliver a strong, powerful hit or play
- 08
Miss Right
A perfect, ideal or suitable female companion, especially a wife.