not able to see the wood for the trees

not able to see the wood for the trees

Unable or unwilling to see, understand, or focus on a situation in its entirety due to being preoccupied with minor details. ("Wood" in this usage is a synonym for "forest.") I just feel like he hasn't been able to see the wood for the trees on this project, getting hung up on the most mundane details at the expense of our overall productivity. If you really can't tell that the president's actions are all working toward the greater good of the country, then you're just not able to see the wood for the trees.
See also: able, not, see, tree, wood
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • not able to see the forest for the trees
  • not see the wood for the trees
  • cannot see the wood for the trees
  • can't see the forest for the trees
  • can't see the wood for the trees
  • forest
  • monty
  • the full monty
  • the whole jimbang
  • the whole jingbang