Right under your nose
/raɪt ˈʌndər jɔːr noʊz/informal, neutralUK · US · AU · IE · CA
What does “Right under your nose” mean?
Right under your nose means something is directly in front of you or happening in plain sight, but you fail to notice it.
This idiom describes something that is very close to you and easy to see, yet you still miss it. It often refers to a lost object that is sitting right in your view. It can also describe a dishonest or secret action that happens openly without anyone realizing it.
Using this expression often brings a feeling of mild embarrassment, surprise, or humor. It points out how ironic it is to search everywhere for something that was obvious the entire time.
When do people say it?
People say this when an object or action was clearly visible all along, but someone failed to see it.
“I searched the whole house for my glasses, and they were right under my nose on the kitchen counter.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
The phrase comes from the simple fact that your nose is directly in front of your eyes. It has been common in English since at least the sixteenth century.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “Right under your nose” in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11