
IdiomBody & Senses
English
right under one's nose
Meaning: Very close, yet unnoticed.
Example: “The keys were right under my nose the whole time.”
Origin: The nose is so close that what lies under it goes unseen. The phrase is common from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Korean: 등잔 밑이 어둡다 (Deungjan mit-i eodupda) Literally: It's dark under the lamp
More English idioms
- be afraid of one's own shadow To be very timid and easily frightened.
- a blessing in disguise Something that seems bad at first but turns out well.
- teach your grandmother to suck eggs To give advice to someone who knows far more than you.
- big deal Said sarcastically to mean something is not important at all.
- make a hash of something To do something very badly.
- play dumb To pretend not to know or understand something.
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