Definition & Meaning of "If it was a snake it would have bitten you"

if it was a snake, it would have bitten you

/ɪf ɪt ɔː ðɪs wɒz ɔː wɜːɹ ɐ snˈeɪk ɪt wʊdhɐv bˈɪtən juː/

/ɪf ɪt ɔːɹ ðɪs wʌz ɔːɹ wɜːɹ ɐ snˈeɪk ɪt wʊdhɐv bˈɪʔn̩ juː/

if it was a snake, it would have bitten you

SENTENCE

said to mean that what a person is searching for is right where they are, but they have failed to notice it

if (it|this) (was|were) a snake, it would have bitten you definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "if it was a snake, it would have bitten you" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "if it was a snake, it would have bitten you" is not well-documented, but it is believed to be of American origin. The imagery of a snake biting someone serves as a metaphor for the idea that someone has failed to notice or find something that is very obvious and nearby.