under your nose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under your nose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is obvious or easily noticeable, yet overlooked. Example: "The solution to the problem was right under your nose the whole time, but you didn't see it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your Valentine: under your nose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They built them right under your nose.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And last, right there under your nose, the food.

The New Yorker

"But now the fear is right here, under your nose".

The New York Times

Tarantino shoves everything like this under your nose.

The Guardian - Film

"You know how you don't see things under your nose?

The Guardian - Books

"It's a shock that this would be going on under your nose," she said.

The New York Times

"There's a lot going on under your nose while you chop and cook," he told me.

The New York Times - Food

Sometimes it is easy to see a far-away injustice, while ignoring one under your nose.

The Guardian

The Stache right under your nose!" He starts to leave, then stops and turns to us.

The New Yorker

"How are you supposed to operate with a four-lane highway right under your nose?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under your nose", ensure the context clearly indicates that something was overlooked despite being easily noticeable. For instance, 'The solution was right "under your nose", but you didn't recognize it until now.'

Common error

Avoid using "under your nose" when you mean literal proximity, such as describing an object physically located beneath someone's nose. This phrase is best reserved for metaphorical oversights, not physical locations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under your nose" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which something occurs, specifically, unnoticed despite close proximity. Ludwig's examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under your nose" is a common and generally correct expression used to describe something that is easily overlooked despite being obvious or nearby. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in informal settings like WikiHow. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider the level of formality required for your writing, opting for more sophisticated alternatives in formal contexts. When something is overlooked, even though it's "in plain sight", you can say that it happened "under your nose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in plain sight

Focuses on the visibility of something, implying it's not hidden.

right in front of you

Highlights the direct proximity of something to the observer.

easily accessible

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be obtained or found.

staring you in the face

Suggests something is very obvious and hard to miss.

close at hand

Indicates something is nearby and readily available.

within reach

Implies something is easily attainable.

at your fingertips

Suggests easy access, often in a digital context.

in your vicinity

Refers to something being located in the immediate area.

just around the corner

Indicates something is nearby, either literally or figuratively.

a stone's throw away

Highlights the short distance to something.

FAQs

How can I use "under your nose" in a sentence?

The phrase "under your nose" is used to describe something that is easily noticeable, yet overlooked. For example, "The answer was right "in plain sight", right "under your nose" the whole time!"

What can I say instead of "under your nose"?

You can use alternatives like ""in plain sight"", "right in front of you", or "easily accessible" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "under your nose" in formal writing?

While "under your nose" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "readily apparent" or "easily discernible".

What does it mean when someone says something happened "under your nose"?

It means that something occurred without your awareness or intervention, despite being in close proximity or within your sphere of influence. It implies a lack of vigilance or awareness on your part. It is similar to saying ""in plain sight"".