Meaning
To lack foresight or a broad perspective; to be narrow-minded.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the word 'narices' is used in many idioms. 'Tener narices' means to have guts, while 'estar hasta las narices' means to be fed up. This makes 'no ver más allá de sus narices' part of a larger family of 'nose' expressions that are very common in daily life. Argentines might use 'no ver más allá de su ombligo' (belly button) more frequently when referring to ego, but 'narices' remains the standard for lack of strategic vision. In Mexico, this phrase is common in political cartoons and editorials to criticize the government's lack of long-term planning regarding infrastructure or social issues. The phrase is universally understood across the continent, though in some regions, 'corto de vista' is a more common, slightly more formal alternative.
Match your possessives
Always remember to change 'sus' to 'mis', 'tus', or 'nuestras' depending on who you are talking about. It's the most common learner error!
It's a bit critical
This phrase is a criticism. Don't use it with your boss or someone you want to impress unless you are prepared for a conflict.
Meaning
To lack foresight or a broad perspective; to be narrow-minded.
Match your possessives
Always remember to change 'sus' to 'mis', 'tus', or 'nuestras' depending on who you are talking about. It's the most common learner error!
It's a bit critical
This phrase is a criticism. Don't use it with your boss or someone you want to impress unless you are prepared for a conflict.
Use it for 'Short-termism'
In a business or economic context, this is the perfect idiomatic translation for 'short-term thinking'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct possessive adjective.
Si tú no ahorras para tu jubilación, es que no ves más allá de ___ narices.
The subject is 'tú', so the possessive must be 'tus'.
Which of these situations best fits the idiom?
Situación: Una empresa gasta todo su presupuesto en una fiesta y no tiene dinero para pagar los sueldos el mes que viene.
This situation describes a total lack of foresight, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
Choose the most natural response.
A: '¿Por qué Juan no se dio cuenta de que su novia estaba enfadada?' B: 'Porque Juan es muy egoísta y...'
The context of being selfish and oblivious fits the idiom perfectly.
Match the subject with the correct form of the phrase.
Subjects: 1. Yo, 2. Nosotros, 3. Ellos
Each subject requires a specific verb conjugation and possessive adjective.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSi tú no ahorras para tu jubilación, es que no ves más allá de ___ narices.
The subject is 'tú', so the possessive must be 'tus'.
Situación: Una empresa gasta todo su presupuesto en una fiesta y no tiene dinero para pagar los sueldos el mes que viene.
This situation describes a total lack of foresight, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
A: '¿Por qué Juan no se dio cuenta de que su novia estaba enfadada?' B: 'Porque Juan es muy egoísta y...'
The context of being selfish and oblivious fits the idiom perfectly.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each subject requires a specific verb conjugation and possessive adjective.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's an idiomatic quirk. While we have one nose, Spanish often uses the plural 'narices' to refer to the nostrils or for emphasis in idioms.
It's not vulgar, but it is critical. It's like calling someone 'short-sighted' or 'narrow-minded' in English. Use with caution.
Technically yes, but it sounds very strange. For physical sight, use 'no ver bien' or 'ser miope'.
'No ver tres en un burro' is usually about being very blind (physically) or totally clueless. 'No ver más allá de sus narices' is specifically about lack of foresight or selfishness.
Yes, it's understood, but it sounds less 'native' than using the plural 'narices'.
Yes, it is a universal idiom in the Spanish language.
Just conjugate 'ver' in the preterite or imperfect: 'Él no vio más allá de sus narices'.
Yes, you can say 'carecer de visión de futuro' or 'ser corto de miras'.
Absolutely. It's very common to say 'La empresa no ve más allá de sus narices'.
Not always. It can just mean a lack of intelligence or planning, not necessarily a bad personality.
Related Phrases
No ver más allá de su ombligo
similarTo only care about oneself.
Tener miras cortas
synonymTo have short sights/ambitions.
Estar hasta las narices
builds onTo be fed up.
No ver tres en un burro
similarTo be very short-sighted (physically or mentally).
