A2Nature

Den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht sehen

To be unable to see the overall situation or main point because one is too focused on minor details

In German

Den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht sehen

Den VALT for LAO-ter BOY-men nikht ZAY-en

Literal Translation

Not to see the forest for all the trees

Meaning

To be unable to see the overall situation or main point because one is too focused on minor details.

Equivalent:"Can't see the forest for the trees"

Example Sentences

1
Er ist so in die Details vertieft, dass er den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht sieht.
He's so engrossed in the details that he can't see the forest for the trees.
2
Manchmal muss man einen Schritt zurücktreten, um den Wald vor lauter Bäumen wieder zu sehen.
Sometimes you have to step back to see the forest for the trees again.

FAQ

How do you say "To be unable to see the overall situation or main point because one is too focused on minor details" in German?

"To be unable to see the overall situation or main point because one is too focused on minor details" in German is "Den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht sehen" (Den VALT for LAO-ter BOY-men nikht ZAY-en). Example: Er ist so in die Details vertieft, dass er den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht sieht..

It's a very small, insignificant amount compared to what is needed; a drop in the ocean

Es ist ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein

Es ist ayn TROP-fen auf den HY-sen SHTAYN

To say something indirectly and tactfully instead of stating it openly; to hint at it

Etwas durch die Blume sagen

ET-vas durkh dee BLOO-meh ZAH-gen

Children often resemble their parents in character or behavior; like father, like son/daughter

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm

Der AP-fel felt nikht VYT fom SHTAM

A sudden, unexpected, and often shocking event

Ein Blitz aus heiterem Himmel

Ayn BLITS aus HY-ter-em HIM-mel