(one) can't look past the end of (one's) nose

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(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.