fores Idiom, Proverb

can't see the forest for the trees

I am so close that I cannot see the whole picture or the big picture I'm so involved in teaching that I've lost my view of education. I can't see the forest for the trees.

whys and wherefores

the answer to a question or problem理由；解释
He doesn't like to follow blindly but always goes into the whys and wherefores of everything．凡事他不喜欢盲从，总是追根究底。

whys and wherefores of

Idiom(s): whys and wherefores of sth

Theme: CAUSES

the reasons or causes relating to something.
• I refuse to discuss the whys and wherefores of my decision. It's final.
• Bob doesn't know the whys and wherefores of his contract. He just knows that it means he will get a lot of money when he finishes the work.

not able to see the forest for the trees

Idiom(s): not able to see the forest for the trees

Theme: PERCEPTION

allowing many details of a problem to obscure the problem as a whole. (Not able to is often expressed as can't.)
• The solution is obvious. You missed it because you can't see the forest for the trees.
• She suddenly realized that she hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees.

Can't see the forest for its trees

If someone can't see the forest for its trees, they are too focused on specific details to see the picture as a whole.

Forest for the trees

(USA) If someone can't see the forest for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the bigger picture.

forest

forest
see can't see the forest for the trees.