What does the phrase 'see the trees for the forest' mean?

It means that if you look at things one at a time, you might not realize that a branch of separate "trees" go togehter to make a "forest" When you are too close to a situation you need to step back and get a little perspective. read more

This expression is a variation of the original expression, which is 'You can't see the forest for the trees'. The original expression means that you are so focused on details in life (i.e. the trees), that you cannot see where you are (i.e. in a forest). The variation you write is the opposite. read more

Forest' is the American saying. In the UK we actually say 'Can't see the wood for the trees' Saying it to someone means that they are so involved in the details of something that they forget or do not realize the real purpose or importance of the thing as a whole. read more