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See past the End of One's Nose

What Does "See past the End of One's Nose" Mean?

homeidiomsSee past the End of One's Nose
"See past the end of one's nose" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to criticize someone for being short-sighted, lacking foresight, or failing to consider long-term consequences.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "see past the end of one's nose" used in a sentence:
  • He's so focused on short-term gains that he can't see past the end of his nose when it comes to the company's future.
  • The politician's inability to address long-term issues shows that he can't see past the end of his nose.
  • In business, it's essential to have leaders who can see past the end of their noses and plan for the future.
meaning for see past the end of one's nose

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "See past the End of One's Nose" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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