not see for looking

English

Verb

not see for looking

1. Be unable to identify because one is trying too hard.
   • 2011, Irini Savvides, Sky Legs, →ISBN:

     At the moment she can't see for looking and her eyes are looking only at yesterday.

   • 2013, Dorothy Koomson, The Flavours of Love: The Richard & Judy Bestselling Author, →ISBN:

     The answer to what I do next is probably the same: staring me right in the face and I can't see for looking.

See also

• not win for losing
• see the forest for the trees