under one's nose, (right)

under one's nose, (right)

In plain sight. This expression, nearly always used as a reminder that something one cannot find or see is actually right there, dates from 1600 or even earlier. John Norden used it in The Surveyor’s Dialogue (1607): “You are but a meane observer of the course of things passing dayly under your nose.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • see (something) against (something else)
  • see against
  • make plain
  • the ghost at the feast
  • the spectre at the feast
  • a ghost at the feast
  • sisters before misters
  • come on
  • come upon
  • vanilla