When learning English, you will often hear colorful phrases that don’t make sense at first glance. These are called idioms—expressions whose meanings are different from the literal words used. Idioms bring life, humor, and culture into language, making everyday conversation richer and more engaging.
One common situation where idioms are very useful is when we don’t understand something. Whether it’s a complicated topic, confusing instructions, or simply a joke that went over your head, English has dozens of idioms to describe such moments.
Using these expressions not only helps you sound more natural but also makes communication more fun and memorable.
In this article, you’ll discover 50+ idioms for not understanding, grouped into practical themes, with clear meanings, examples, and notes on when to use them.
By the end, you’ll have a wide range of expressions to describe confusion, puzzlement, or complete lack of comprehension.
Did You Know?
The phrase “It’s all Greek to me” has been used for centuries to describe confusion. Interestingly, in Greece, they say “It’s all Chinese to me” to mean the same thing. Different cultures often use other languages in their idioms to describe something they don’t understand!
Idioms That Show Total Confusion
1. It’s all Greek to me
Meaning: I don’t understand it at all.
Example: “I tried reading the legal document, but it’s all Greek to me.”
Alternative: Like reading Chinese.
Note: Informal; often used when the topic is very technical.
2. At sea
Meaning: Completely confused.
Example: “During the math lesson, I was at sea.”
Alternative: Lost at sea.
Note: Common in both spoken and written English.
3. In the dark
Meaning: Lacking knowledge or understanding.
Example: “I’m still in the dark about the new company policy.”
Alternative: Kept in the dark.
Note: Suitable for both formal and casual use.
4. Lost me there
Meaning: You said something I can’t follow.
Example: “Wait, you lost me there. Can you explain again?”
Alternative: I didn’t catch that.
Note: Very casual, used in conversations.
5. Over my head
Meaning: Too difficult to understand.
Example: “That physics lecture went right over my head.”
Alternative: Beyond me.
Note: Informal, often used for academic or technical topics.
6. Can’t make head nor tail of it
Meaning: Cannot understand anything about it.
Example: “I couldn’t make head nor tail of the instructions.”
Alternative: Doesn’t make sense.
Note: Traditional British English, still widely used.
7. Drawing a blank
Meaning: Unable to understand or remember.
Example: “I tried to recall the rules, but I drew a blank.”
Alternative: My mind went blank.
Note: Used in both personal and professional contexts.
8. Foggy idea
Meaning: Very unclear understanding.
Example: “I only have a foggy idea about how this works.”
Alternative: Vague understanding.
Note: Common in daily conversations.
9. Out of my depth
Meaning: Beyond my ability to understand.
Example: “I was out of my depth in the advanced coding class.”
Alternative: In over my head.
Note: Often used for technical or professional settings.
10. Head’s spinning
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed and unable to grasp things.
Example: “So many details! My head is spinning.”
Alternative: Mind’s in a whirl.
Note: Casual, often used in speech.
Idioms That Show Misunderstanding
11. Miss the point
Meaning: Fail to understand the main idea.
Example: “He completely missed the point of my question.”
Alternative: Not get it.
Note: Useful in discussions or debates.
12. Got the wrong end of the stick
Meaning: Misunderstood something.
Example: “I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick. That’s not what I meant.”
Alternative: Misinterpreted it.
Note: British English; informal but common.
13. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Following a wrong idea or assumption.
Example: “If you think I caused the mistake, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Alternative: On the wrong track.
Note: Informal, often humorous.
14. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: Misunderstand and exaggerate something.
Example: “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill—it was just a small mistake.”
Alternative: Blow out of proportion.
Note: Informal, daily conversations.
15. Talking at cross purposes
Meaning: Not understanding each other.
Example: “We were talking at cross purposes about the deadline.”
Alternative: Miscommunication.
Note: Used in formal and casual situations.
16. Not on the same page
Meaning: Having different understanding of the situation.
Example: “Let’s review this to make sure we’re on the same page.”
Alternative: Out of sync.
Note: Common in business and teamwork.
17. Misread the situation
Meaning: Understood something incorrectly.
Example: “He misread the situation and spoke out of turn.”
Alternative: Misjudged it.
Note: More formal, often used in workplaces.
18. Clouded judgment
Meaning: Confused thinking leading to misunderstanding.
Example: “His anger clouded his judgment.”
Alternative: Distorted view.
Note: Neutral tone, formal writing possible.
19. Mixed signals
Meaning: Receiving unclear or contradictory messages.
Example: “She keeps giving me mixed signals about her decision.”
Alternative: Confusing messages.
Note: Informal, often used in relationships.
20. Lost in translation
Meaning: Meaning confused during communication.
Example: “The humor got lost in translation.”
Alternative: Miscommunication.
Note: Used for language or cultural misunderstandings.
Idioms That Show Forgetting or Mental Blocks
21. Slip my mind
Meaning: Forgot completely.
Example: “Sorry, your birthday just slipped my mind.”
Alternative: Forgot about it.
Note: Casual and friendly.
22. Mind went blank
Meaning: Unable to recall or think.
Example: “During the test, my mind went blank.”
Alternative: Drew a blank.
Note: Common in exams or stressful moments.
23. On the tip of my tongue
Meaning: Almost remembering but not fully.
Example: “Her name is on the tip of my tongue.”
Alternative: Can’t recall right now.
Note: Very common in daily speech.
24. Fuzzy memory
Meaning: Unclear memory.
Example: “I have a fuzzy memory of that event.”
Alternative: Blurry recollection.
Note: Casual, storytelling use.
25. Can’t put my finger on it
Meaning: Can’t identify exactly what’s wrong.
Example: “Something feels odd, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
Alternative: Can’t place it.
Note: Used for feelings or vague thoughts.
26. Brain freeze
Meaning: Sudden inability to think clearly.
Example: “When he asked me, I had a brain freeze.”
Alternative: Mental block.
Note: Informal, casual usage.
27. Out of sight, out of mind
Meaning: Forget easily when not visible.
Example: “I stopped worrying—out of sight, out of mind.”
Alternative: Forgotten quickly.
Note: Used both seriously and humorously.
28. Short memory
Meaning: Forget things quickly.
Example: “He has such a short memory for promises.”
Alternative: Forgetful.
Note: Common in casual talk.
29. Go in one ear and out the other
Meaning: Not remembered at all.
Example: “I told him, but it went in one ear and out the other.”
Alternative: Didn’t register.
Note: Informal, casual situations.
30. Have a senior moment
Meaning: Temporary forgetfulness.
Example: “I just had a senior moment and forgot the password.”
Alternative: Memory lapse.
Note: Often humorous.
Idioms That Show Puzzlement or Inability to Think Clearly
31. Scratching my head
Meaning: Thinking hard but still puzzled.
Example: “I was scratching my head over the puzzle.”
Alternative: Perplexed.
Note: Informal, everyday English.
32. Beyond me
Meaning: Too difficult to understand.
Example: “How she solved it is beyond me.”
Alternative: Over my head.
Note: Informal, common usage.
33. Puzzled over
Meaning: Thinking hard to understand.
Example: “I puzzled over the instructions for hours.”
Alternative: Struggled with it.
Note: Neutral tone.
34. Clueless
Meaning: Have no idea.
Example: “I’m clueless about fixing cars.”
Alternative: No clue.
Note: Informal, casual.
35. Baffled
Meaning: Extremely confused.
Example: “I was baffled by the strange results.”
Alternative: Confused, perplexed.
Note: Can be formal or informal.
36. Dumbfounded
Meaning: Shocked and unable to understand.
Example: “I was dumbfounded by his explanation.”
Alternative: Stunned.
Note: Often used in storytelling.
37. Perplexed
Meaning: Deeply puzzled.
Example: “The riddle left me perplexed.”
Alternative: Confused.
Note: Slightly formal.
38. Throw me off
Meaning: Distract or confuse me.
Example: “His sudden question threw me off.”
Alternative: Threw me for a loop.
Note: Informal speech.
39. Twisting my brain
Meaning: Trying hard to understand.
Example: “I’m twisting my brain over this problem.”
Alternative: Racking my brains.
Note: Casual expression.
40. Out of whack
Meaning: Not working properly, leading to confusion.
Example: “My schedule is out of whack, and I’m confused.”
Alternative: Disorganized.
Note: Informal.
41. Mind-boggling
Meaning: Extremely difficult to grasp.
Example: “The size of the universe is mind-boggling.”
Alternative: Unimaginable.
Note: Often used for amazing or confusing things.
42. Lost track
Meaning: Unable to keep up or remember.
Example: “I lost track of the time.”
Alternative: Didn’t notice.
Note: Casual use.
43. Puzzled look
Meaning: Confused facial expression.
Example: “He gave me a puzzled look.”
Alternative: Blank face.
Note: Descriptive in stories.
44. Doesn’t add up
Meaning: Seems illogical or confusing.
Example: “Her story doesn’t add up.”
Alternative: Doesn’t make sense.
Note: Informal, often suspicious tone.
45. Out of sorts
Meaning: Feeling unwell or confused.
Example: “I’m a bit out of sorts today.”
Alternative: Not myself.
Note: Casual, daily speech.
46. Mixed up
Meaning: Confused or mistaken.
Example: “I got the dates mixed up.”
Alternative: Confused.
Note: Very common.
47. Out of context
Meaning: Not understood properly because details are missing.
Example: “That quote was taken out of context.”
Alternative: Misinterpreted.
Note: Used in discussions and media.
48. Spaced out
Meaning: Not paying attention, mentally absent.
Example: “Sorry, I spaced out during the meeting.”
Alternative: Zoned out.
Note: Informal, casual.
49. Up in the air
Meaning: Unclear, uncertain.
Example: “The plan is still up in the air.”
Alternative: Undecided.
Note: Common in business and casual use.
50. Off the wall
Meaning: Strange and confusing.
Example: “That’s such an off-the-wall idea.”
Alternative: Weird.
Note: Informal, creative contexts.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- In speaking: Use them in casual conversations to sound more natural. For example, instead of saying “I don’t understand”, say “That went over my head.”
- In writing: Idioms can make emails, blogs, or stories more colorful. Just ensure your reader understands them.
- In professional settings: Use workplace-appropriate idioms like “not on the same page” or “in the dark” to communicate clearly and politely.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong context:
❌ “I’m at sea in the swimming pool.”
✔ “I’m at sea with this math problem.” - Mixing idioms incorrectly:
❌ “It’s all Greek over my head.”
✔ “It’s all Greek to me” OR “It went over my head.” - Overusing idioms:
❌ Using too many idioms in one sentence makes it confusing.
✔ Use one or two naturally in conversation.
FAQs
1. What are idioms for not understanding used for?
They help describe confusion, misunderstanding, or lack of clarity in a colorful way.
2. Are idioms formal or informal?
Most idioms are informal, but some can be used in professional writing, like “in the dark” or “not on the same page.”
3. Can I use idioms in exams or essays?
Yes, but only in creative or informal essays. For academic writing, keep language straightforward.
4. Do idioms vary between cultures?
Yes! For example, English says “It’s all Greek to me,” while other languages might use “Chinese” or another language.
5. How can I practice idioms?
Listen to native speakers, note idioms they use, and practice them in conversations or short writing exercises.
Conclusion
Idioms for not understanding give you colorful ways to describe confusion, puzzlement, or being lost in conversation. Instead of simply saying “I don’t get it,” you can choose from over 50 lively expressions like “at sea,” “lost in translation,” or “mind-boggling.”
Using idioms makes your English sound more natural, relatable, and even fun. So the next time you feel confused, try one of these idioms—you’ll not only express yourself better but also connect with native speakers more effectively.
