(right) under (one's) (very) nose(redirected from under their noses)
(right) under (one's) (very) nose
1. In a place easy to see or find. I've been looking all over for that invitation, and it was right under my nose the whole time!
2. When one is physically present. I can't believe that one of my employees was falsifying records right under my nose.
(right) under someone's (very) nose
1. Fig. right in front of someone. I thought I'd lost my purse, but it was sitting on the table under my very nose. How did Mary fail to see the book? It was right under her nose.
2. Fig. in someone's presence. The thief stole Jim's wallet right under his nose. The jewels were stolen from under the very noses of the security guards.
under one's nose
Right there, in plain view, as in Your keys are on the table, right under your nose. This expression is generally a reminder that something one cannot find is actually there. [c. 1600]
under your nose
COMMON If something, especially a bad thing, happens under your nose, it happens in your presence or very near to you, and you either do not notice it or cannot do anything to stop it. I became convinced that something sinister was taking place right under my nose. Then suddenly I knew what had been going on here all along, right under our noses. Note: You can also say that someone takes something from under your nose, meaning that they steal it in your presence or very near to you, and you either do not notice it or cannot do anything to stop it. The prisoners stole it from under the noses of two red-faced police officers.
under someone's nose(of an action) committed openly and boldly, but without someone noticing or noticing in time to prevent it. informal
(right) under somebody’s ˈnose(informal)
1 very close to somebody, even though they cannot see it: ‘Where are the car keys?’ ‘There, right under your nose.’
2 used to talk about something bad that happens over a period of time, but which nobody has noticed: Stealing from the kitchen has been going on right under their noses for years.
under (someone's) nose
In plain view: The keys are right under your nose.