CANNOT SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES

cannot see the forest for the trees: translation

cannot see the wood for the trees & cannot see the forest for the trees

Prov. Cannot perceive the overview or important things because of concentrating too much on details. •

The information presented in this textbook is so disorganized that I can't see the wood for the trees.

•

The politician's opponents claimed that she couldn't see the forest for the trees, because she spent so much time trying to solve minor problems.