Dictionary

see past the end of one's nose en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, in the negative) To have insight into underlying facts or consequences; to possess common sense or a vision for the future.
   • He probably thought she was an overprotective, neurotic mother who couldn't see past the end of her nose where her son was concerned. 2011, Carrie Turansky, chapter 14, in Along Came Love, →ISBN:
   • It turned out that the BBC and its panel of newspaper experts couldn't see past the end of their own noses, let alone get a glimpse of the stars. The shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year was an absolute scandal of omission. 2009 December 26, Mark Reason, “Huge shadow of Tiger Woods dominates the decade of sport”, in Telegraph, UK, retrieved 15 Dec 2015:
   • “If you could find a curator somewhere—I admit this is difficult—who can see beyond the end of his nose, he would be glad to be a true innovator and get out of the international rut.” 1964 September 13, John Canaday, “Hello Sr. Brest”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 Dec 2015:
   • “Why didn't you tell me that you couldn't see past the end of your nose?” she demanded. “Do you realize the trouble you've caused?” 2007, Sharan Newman, Heresy: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery, →ISBN:
   • If my mother got on your case for being thoughtless or lacking in prudence or foresight, she likely would declare that you could not "see past the end of your nose". 1988 December 7, Robert Maynard, “Bush better not ignore Mexico”, in Spartanburg Herald-Journal, US, retrieved 15 Dec 2015, page A10:

Forms

Translations (8)

nl verder zien dan zijn neus lang is (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · it vedere più in là del proprio naso (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · fr ne pas voir plus loin que le bout de son nez (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · ru не видеть дальше своего носа (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · it vedere oltre la punta del proprio naso (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · pl (nie) widzieć dalej niż czubek własnego nosa (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · fi nähdä nenäänsä pidemmälle (have insight into underlying facts or consequences) · nl verder kijken dan zijn neus lang is (have insight into underlying facts or consequences)