Cool MateObvious vs Under my very nose
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Under my very nose
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ObviousMost common: Obvious
| Obvious | Under my very nose | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// | 🇬🇧 //ˈʌndə maɪ ˈvɛri nəʊz//🇺🇸 //ˈʌndər maɪ ˈvɛri noʊz// |
| Meaning | Easy to see or understand | Right in front of me, and I didn't notice. |
| Example | It's obvious that she is very talented. | He stole my sandwich right under my very nose! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion | right under my very nose, happen under my very nose, see it under my very nose |
| Antonyms | hidden, ambiguous, unclear | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'oblivious', which means unaware., Using 'obvious' with negative sentences incorrectly, e.g., 'It's not obvious that he is late.', Overusing in formal writing, where 'clear' may be more suitable. | Using it in overly formal contexts., Confusing with 'right under my nose' which has a similar meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obvious' to indicate something that doesn't need explanation. It's neutral and fits in various contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. | Used in everyday conversation to express surprise that something happened without being noticed. It's informal, so it might not be suited for formal writing or speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obvious vs Under my very nose
What's the difference between Obvious and Under my very nose?
Obvious: Easy to see or understand Under my very nose: Right in front of me, and I didn't notice.
Which is more formal: Obvious and Under my very nose?
Obvious is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Obvious and Under my very nose?
Obvious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented. Under my very nose: He stole my sandwich right under my very nose!
Can I use Obvious and Under my very nose interchangeably?
Not always. Obvious and Under my very nose are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.