Understanding doesn’t always come easily—and that’s okay. In daily conversations, professional settings, or even heartfelt discussions, we sometimes struggle to grasp what’s being said. Idioms for not understanding help us express confusion politely, warmly, and thoughtfully, without sounding dismissive or careless.
From my own experience as a writer and editor, I’ve noticed that choosing the right expression can soften misunderstandings and keep communication respectful. This article explores 25 commonly used English idioms for not understanding, explained clearly and used naturally, so you can communicate with confidence and care.
1. In the Dark
Meaning: Not knowing or not understanding something.
Sentence: I’m completely in the dark about the new policy changes.
Best Use: When you lack information about a situation.
Other Ways to Say: Unaware, clueless, uninformed.
2. Lost the Plot
Meaning: To stop understanding what is happening.
Sentence: Halfway through the meeting, I felt I had lost the plot.
Best Use: Casual conversations or storytelling.
Other Ways to Say: Confused, mixed up, bewildered.
3. Over My Head
Meaning: Too complex to understand.
Sentence: The technical explanation went completely over my head.
Best Use: Academic or professional discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Too difficult, beyond me.
4. Can’t Make Head or Tail of It
Meaning: Unable to understand anything at all.
Sentence: I can’t make head or tail of it, no matter how I read it.
Best Use: Expressing total confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Doesn’t make sense, unclear.
5. At Sea
Meaning: Feeling confused or uncertain.
Sentence: Without guidance, I felt at sea during the project.
Best Use: Emotional or reflective contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Lost, unsure.
6. Beats Me
Meaning: I don’t know or understand.
Sentence: Why it stopped working beats me.
Best Use: Informal speech.
Other Ways to Say: I have no idea.
7. Drawing a Blank
Meaning: Unable to recall or understand something.
Sentence: I’m drawing a blank on what she meant.
Best Use: Memory or comprehension gaps.
Other Ways to Say: Forgetting, stuck.
8. Out of the Loop
Meaning: Not informed or updated.
Sentence: I feel out of the loop on this decision.
Best Use: Workplace or group conversations.
Other Ways to Say: Left out, uninformed.
9. Lost in Translation
Meaning: Meaning not clearly understood.
Sentence: The message was lost in translation.
Best Use: Cross-cultural or emotional discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Misunderstood.
10. Like Greek to Me
Meaning: Completely unintelligible.
Sentence: Legal jargon is like Greek to me.
Best Use: Lighthearted confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Incomprehensible.
11. Miss the Point
Meaning: Fail to understand the main idea.
Sentence: I think I may have missed the point.
Best Use: Clarifying misunderstandings.
Other Ways to Say: Misunderstand.
12. Foggy About
Meaning: Not clearly understood.
Sentence: I’m still foggy about the instructions.
Best Use: Gentle admission of confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Unclear.
13. Out of My Depth
Meaning: Beyond one’s knowledge.
Sentence: I’m out of my depth with this topic.
Best Use: Professional humility.
Other Ways to Say: Overwhelmed.
14. Go Over Someone’s Head
Meaning: Not understood by someone.
Sentence: The joke went over his head.
Best Use: Describing others’ confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Missed entirely.
15. In a Fog
Meaning: Mentally unclear.
Sentence: I’ve been in a fog all morning.
Best Use: Emotional or mental states.
Other Ways to Say: Distracted.
16. Clueless
Meaning: Completely unaware.
Sentence: I was clueless about the change.
Best Use: Informal honesty.
Other Ways to Say: Unaware.
17. Not Ringing a Bell
Meaning: Doesn’t sound familiar.
Sentence: That name is not ringing a bell.
Best Use: Memory-based confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Unfamiliar.
18. Puzzled
Meaning: Confused or unsure.
Sentence: I’m puzzled by his response.
Best Use: Polite or formal contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Confused.
19. At a Loss
Meaning: Unable to understand or decide.
Sentence: I’m at a loss for what to say.
Best Use: Emotional or serious moments.
Other Ways to Say: Unsure.
20. Doesn’t Click
Meaning: Doesn’t make sense yet.
Sentence: The concept still doesn’t click for me.
Best Use: Learning situations.
Other Ways to Say: Not clear.
21. Stumped
Meaning: Unable to find an answer.
Sentence: That question has me stumped.
Best Use: Problem-solving contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Confounded.
22. Out of Focus
Meaning: Lacking clarity.
Sentence: The explanation felt out of focus.
Best Use: Analytical discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Blurry.
23. Can’t Wrap My Head Around It
Meaning: Hard to understand.
Sentence: I can’t wrap my head around it yet.
Best Use: Thoughtful confusion.
Other Ways to Say: Hard to grasp.
24. Mixed Up
Meaning: Confused.
Sentence: I got mixed up with the details.
Best Use: Everyday speech.
Other Ways to Say: Confused.
25. Missing the Big Picture
Meaning: Not understanding the overall meaning.
Sentence: I think I’m missing the big picture.
Best Use: Strategic discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Not seeing the whole.
FAQs
1. Why use idioms for not understanding?
Idioms make communication gentler and more relatable, reducing awkwardness.
2. Are these idioms suitable for professional use?
Yes, many like “at a loss” or “out of the loop” are widely accepted.
3. Can idioms help avoid conflict?
Absolutely. They show humility and openness rather than blame.
4. Are idioms culturally universal?
Some are, but context matters—always consider your audience.
5. How can I remember these idioms?
Practice them in real conversations and writing.
Conclusion
Not understanding something is a shared human experience, and expressing it with kindness makes communication stronger. These 25 idioms for not understanding offer thoughtful, warm ways to voice confusion without discomfort. Drawing from experience and real-world usage, I’ve found that the right phrase can turn misunderstanding into connection. With these expressions, you’ll communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence—no matter the situation.
Andrew Christopher is a passionate visionary who blends creativity with purpose to bring ideas to life. With a focus on innovation and integrity, he inspires growth and lasting impact.
