How do you say “Right under your nose” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is direkt vor der Nase, which literally means “directly in front of the nose”. English speakers use right under your nose to mean something is directly in front of you or happening in plain sight, but you fail to notice it. German native speakers use this phrase almost identically to the English idiom, though German uses the preposition 'vor' (in front of) rather than 'unter' (under). It is informal, neutral and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
direkt vor der Nase
[diˈʁɛkt foːɐ̯ deːɐ̯ ˈnaːzə]
- Literal meaning
- “directly in front of the nose”
- Register
- informal, neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
95 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
The German idiom 'direkt vor der Nase' mirrors the English 'right under your nose' nearly perfectly in meaning, frequency, and everyday usage. Both expressions describe the frustrating irony of missing something that is in immediate proximity or plain view. The primary difference lies in spatial perspective: English visualizes the item sitting 'under' the nose, whereas German places it 'in front of' the nose ('vor der Nase').
When referring to physical objects that someone is frantically searching for, such as keys or glasses, 'direkt vor der Nase' is universally understood and instantly natural. When the phrase refers to actions, plots, or illicit activities taking place without someone realizing, German speakers alternate naturally between 'direkt vor jds. Nase' and 'direkt vor jds. Augen' (right before someone's eyes), with the latter carrying slightly more dramatic weight.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity4 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
direkt vor jds. Augen
Literally: “directly in front of somebody's eyes”
Preferred when describing actions, crimes, or deceptions unfolding in plain sight rather than physical items.
vor aller Augen
Literally: “in front of everyone's eyes”
Used when something happens in full public view without being concealed.
Don't translate it literally
direkt unter deiner Nase
This is an unidiomatic Anglicism. In German, things 'under the nose' usually refer to facial hair, not things in plain sight.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
I spent twenty minutes looking for my glasses, and they were right under my nose the whole time.
German
Ich habe zwanzig Minuten lang meine Brille gesucht, und die ganze Zeit lag sie direkt vor meiner Nase.
English
The fraud was happening right under their noses, but nobody noticed.
German
Der Betrug spielte sich direkt vor ihrer Nase ab, aber niemandem ist etwas aufgefallen.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-11