under one's nose, (right)

(right) under (one's) (very) nose

1. In a place easy to see or find. I've been looking all over for that invitation, and it was right under my nose the whole time! Mom, I found your glasses! They were right under our noses this whole time. I keep my most important documents right under my nose so I remember to update them every day.

2. When one is physically present. I can't believe that one of my employees was falsifying records right under my nose. It seems that some of my students have been copying each other's test answers right under my very nose. I think my cleaning woman stole my bracelet. And I was home on Tuesday too, so she did it under my very nose!

See also: nose

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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 Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer