see the forest for the trees
Perceive overall picture
To see the forest for the trees is to perceive the whole picture rather than getting lost in details.
Almost always used in the negative: someone who can't see the forest for the trees is so focused on particulars that they miss the larger situation.
Step back—you're not seeing the forest for the trees.
- overviewBroad general summary
- missing the pointFailing to understand essence
- big pictureOverall perspective on things
- holistic viewComprehensive overall perspective
- gestaltIntegrated perceptual whole
gist · zoomed in · overanalysis · minutiae · detail oriented · myopia · grand scheme · macroscopic · narrow-mindedness · insight · discernment · comprehension · undergrowth · observation · understanding · canopy · step back · prioritization
see the forest for the treesmiss the forest for the trees
Ignore whole for parts
myopic · tunnel vision · shortsighted · micromanage · nitpick
see the forest for the treesnarrow-minded
Intolerant of differing views
small-minded · blinkered · parochial · provincial · unstrategic
foresee, foresaw, foreseen, forest, forests, forested, forestry, forester, forestation