灯とう台だい下もと暗くらし

expression

it is darkest under the lamp post; you can't see what's right under your nose

Proverb meaning that one often fails to notice things close at hand, especially when searching far away.

• 灯とう台だい下もと暗くらしで、探さがしていた鍵かぎがすぐ目めの前まえにあった。

  It was a case of 'darkest under the lamp post'—the key I was looking for was right in front of me.

• 灯とう台だい下もと暗くらしとはよく言いったもので、地じ元もとの名めい所しょを知しらなかった。

  As the saying goes, 'it's darkest under the lamp post'—I didn't know about the famous spots in my own hometown.