tunnel vision

tunnel vision

1. A condition in which one's field of vision narrows to a point directly in front of one's eyes, without the ability to see peripherally. I started getting tunnel vision from such a rapid change in altitude.
2. A tendency, habit, or conscious decision to only focus one's energy or attention on a single particular thing or aspect, without regard for anything or anyone else. Tom tends to get tunnel vision when he starts working on a new project, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear from him for a while. The only way I can complete my novels is if I have total tunnel vision while writing, which has had some disastrous effects on my relationships.
See also: tunnel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tunnel vision

 
1. Lit. a visual impairment wherein one can only see what is directly ahead of oneself. I have tunnel vision, so I have to keep looking from side to side.
2. Fig. an inability to recognize other ways of doing things or thinking about things. The boss really has tunnel vision about sales and marketing. He sees no reason to change anything.
See also: tunnel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

tunnel vision

COMMON If someone has tunnel vision, they use all their energy and skill on something that is important to them and ignore other important things. Unfortunately, government departments tend to exhibit extreme tunnel vision. It is often beyond their capacity to appreciate or support something if it benefits more than one department. Note: This expression can also be used to show admiration for someone who has achieved a lot by concentrating on a single thing. They always say that you have to have tunnel vision to be a champion. You can't have any outside distractions at all. Note: You can also use tunnel-vision before a noun. The experts sometimes have a bureaucratic, tunnel-vision view of their mission. Note: Tunnel vision is a medical condition in which someone can only see things that are immediately in front of them, and cannot see things that are to the side.
See also: tunnel
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(have) ˌtunnel ˈvision

(disapproving) (have) an interest in only one small part of something instead of the whole of it: He’s got tunnel vision about music. He thinks only the classics are worth listening to.
See also: tunnel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

tunnel vision

A very narrow view, inability to see beyond a limited viewpoint. The term, dating from the mid-1900s, transfers the physiological inability to see peripheral objects to a mental outlook. For example, “Preble had the ghetto mind and the tunnel vision of a committed social climber” (T. Barling, Goodbye Piccadilly, 1980).
See also: tunnel
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • at doorstep
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at (one's) expense
  • at expense
  • at somebody's expense
  • at someone's expense
  • be remembered as (something)
  • be remembered as/for something
  • be in (one's) good graces
  • be in somebody's good graces
References in periodicals archive
Scientific methodology intensifies scientific tunnel vision. The adage that what we cannot measure, we cannot know, and therefore is unworthy of our observation (4) articulates a common position in the scientific community.
Challenges posed by a scientific approach to spiritual issues. (Special Article)
* Can "tunnel vision" help us dig our way out of the Gowanus mess and other traffic disasters?
RPA Assembly offers roadmap to recovery
Warshawski novels are Deadlock (1984), Killing Orders (1985), Bitter Medicine (1987), Blood Shot (1988), Burn Marks (1990), Guardian Angel (1992), and Tunnel Vision (1994).
Paretsky, Sara
While a lack of visual acuity is sometimes corrected with lenses, blind spots, tunnel vision, or limited visual fields may require oversized and specially positioned mirrors.
Adaptive driver training: a pathway to transition
If he can be faulted at all it is for being absorbed in the machinations of Kremlin power politics to the point of having tunnel vision. He is probably justified in his impatience with his Washington editors when they distract him with requests for "reaction' to the latest U.S.
Shadows and whispers: power politics inside the Kremlin from Brezhnev to Gorbachev
M2 PRESSWIRE-August 29, 2019-: Young Woman Shares Her Successful Journey to Losing Over 50 Pounds in New Book Tunnel Vision
Young Woman Shares Her Successful Journey to Losing Over 50 Pounds in New Book Tunnel Vision
Kodak Black may still be in jail, but the "Tunnel Vision" rapper now has one less problem to worry about.
Kodak Black Settles Record Label Lawsuit Behind Bars
JOHN HUGHES believes a touch of tunnel vision can help Caley Thistle shock Celtic today.
Yogi: No smite at end of tunnel
TUNNEL VISION: Phil in Casemates For dinner, try the Brasserie Aubergine.
Lux interior; Phil Fielding heads underground in the grand duchy's capital
JUNIOR pupils at The Kingsle School had tunnel vision - literally - when they were asked to raise money for charity.
Tunnel vision for charity fundraising
Alongside this, their ideological tunnel vision leads them to insist that state support and public service are bad things to have.
Society has been backed into a corner
Refraction Theatre was formed by seven final year performance students and is soon set to stage Tunnel Vision at the Huddersfield Drama Festival, as part of a tour around the north west.
A DARING ACT; Students set up own touring company
WHAT is it that causes council employees to develop tunnel vision when road calming comes under discussion?
Tunnel vision; LETTERS to the EDITOR
They cocoon themselves in their own chosen brand of ideology and become oblivious to any outside influences and develop tunnel vision.
Ideology cocoon; Your Say
The BBC seems to have tunnel vision on the "bums on seats" scenario, catering only for the "hard core" TV audience, whose apathy knows no bounds.
Letter: End the fee for the BBC