can't see (any) further than the end of (one's) nose

can't see (any) further than the end of (one's) nose

1. To lack the ability to foresee problems, issues, or obligations beyond the present or immediate future. Our boss is ambitious, but she can't see any further than her nose when it comes to scheduling projects with realistic deadlines.

2. To be so preoccupied with oneself or one's own problems as to be unaware of or indifferent to larger issues or other people. My ex-husband is always so wrapped up in work that he can't see further than the end of his nose, hardly ever making any time for me or the kids.

See also: end, further, nose, of, see

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cannot see any further than the end of one’s nose

verb

See see no further than the end of one’s nose

See also: any, cannot, end, further, nose, of, see

cannot see further than the end of one’s nose

verb

See see no further than the end of one’s nose

See also: cannot, end, further, nose, of, see

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.