under someone's nose
The idiom "under someone's nose" is used to describe situations where something is obvious or very close but goes unnoticed.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)In a place that is very close and easily noticeable, yet overlooked.
Example
- The keys were right under my nose the whole time.
- The thief stole the jewelry right under her nose.
B2General
(informal)Happening or existing in a way that is obvious but not seen.
Example
- The solution to the problem was right under our noses.
- The evidence was under their noses, but they failed to see it.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "under someone's nose":
in someone's faceon the nosenose outrub someone's nose inout of the corner of one's eyeon someone's asshold one's nosein someone's wayover one's headlead by the nosecheek by jowl