see past
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To not let something bad or annoying stop you from seeing the good things.
Literal meaning: To look physically beyond something that is in front of you — extended to mean ignoring a mental or emotional obstacle.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To ignore or overlook a flaw, negative quality, or obstacle in order to appreciate something more important.
"Once you see past his shyness, you'll realise he's actually very funny."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To physically look beyond an obstruction in order to see something on the other side.
"She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see past the crowd to the stage."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used in both literal and figurative contexts. Figuratively, it often describes overlooking someone's faults, a bad first impression, or an obvious problem to see deeper value.
Commonly used with
flaws appearance surface differences mistakes bias
Forms
Base
see past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sees past
he/she/it
Past simple
saw past
yesterday
Past participle
seen past
have + pp
-ing form
seeing past
continuous
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