Tomaten auf den Augen haben
to be oblivious; to fail to see the obvious
Origin
Origin uncertain (since around 1920); originally referred to the swollen, reddened eyes of someone half-asleep, from which the sense "to overlook the obvious" developed.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Negation with 'keine' (plural)Negation mit 'keine' (Plural)
- Definite article 'die' (the, plural, accusative)Bestimmter Artikel 'die' (Plural, Akkusativ)
- viele (many)viele (Indefinitpronomen)
- Comparative and superlative used attributivelyKomparativ und Superlativ attributiv
- Verb 'haben' (to have), present: du hast (you have)Verb 'haben' im Präsens: du hast
- Genitive (introduction: des/der + -s)Genitiv (Einführung: des/der + -s)
Examples
Der lag dir – hast du Tomaten auf den Augen?
The key was right in front of you — are you blind?