stuck in the weeds
1
8.3
- idiom
- Informal
:
perderse en los detalles
- Don't get stuck in the weeds during the meeting!
Examples
-
During the project planning, the team got stuck in the weeds and never addressed the overall strategy.
-
Try not to get stuck in the weeds—let's focus on the main objectives first.
-
We spent most of the afternoon stuck in the weeds and made little progress on the big decisions.
-
We need to avoid getting stuck in the weeds when planning.
-
During the meeting, we got stuck in the weeds and lost track of the main goal.
-
It's easy to get stuck in the weeds when you're planning a project and forget the overall purpose.
-
The team was so stuck in the weeds with minor details that they missed the deadline.
Synonyms
15
6.8
Argue about very small differences that do not matter
7
8.4
To become too involved in small details and forget the main idea
7
6.5
To think too much about something so it becomes confusing and stops you from acting
4
7.7
Worry too much about small, unimportant things
2
5.4
To keep thinking about a small detail and not move forward
1
6.7
To worry too much about small, unimportant things
To focus too much on small details and ignore bigger problems
Give too much attention to one thing and ignore others
Antonyms
How Detail-Focused
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal image of being 'stuck' 'in' 'weeds' gives a clear metaphor of being impeded or bogged down, so learners who know the words can infer a general sense of inability to progress. However, the specific pragmatic meaning—getting lost in minor details or losing sight of the main issue—is a figurative extension that is not fully predictable without exposure, making the expression only partially transparent.
Etymology
Stuck in the weeds comes from the image of someone literally stuck in tall weeds, unable to move or see the whole field. That's why it now means 'focusing on small details and missing the main point'.