(one) can't look past the end of (one's) nose
(redirected from can't look past the end of nose)(one) can't look past the end of (one's) nose
1. One lacks the ability to foresee problems, issues, or obligations beyond the present or immediate future. Our boss is ambitious, but she can't look past the end of her nose when it comes to scheduling projects with realistic deadlines. Planning for the future just doesn't interest Howard—that guy can't look past the end of his nose. Lisa can't look past the end of her nose, so I doubt that she knows where this project will be in six months.
2. One is preoccupied with oneself and unable to notice or focus on anything else. Of course she's oblivious to the growing homeless population in our city—she can't look past the end of her own nose. Jim is so concerned about getting ahead in business that he can't look past the end of his nose anymore. Elizabeth is so worried about how this situation will affect her that she can't look past the end of her nose anymore.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
- (one) can't look past the tip of (one's) nose
- (one) can't look beyond the end of (one's) nose
- (one) can't look beyond the tip of (one's) nose
- (one) can't see past the tip of (one's) nose
- cannot see further than your nose
- can't see farther than (one's) nose
- farther
- can't see (any) further than the end of (one's) nose
- cannot see any further than the end of one's nose
- cannot see further than the end of one's nose