Have you ever felt confused or just didn’t get what someone was talking about? Don’t worry—everyone feels that way sometimes! There are lots of fun and helpful ways to express those moments when things just don’t make sense. In this article, I’ll share 27 idioms for not understanding that you can use in a kind, thoughtful way when you feel lost or puzzled.
From my own experience, using these idioms in conversations has made it easier to explain when something feels tricky or confusing without sounding rude. Whether you’re talking to friends, classmates, or family, these idioms add warmth and understanding to your words. Let’s learn them together!
1. Over my head
Meaning:
Something is too hard to understand.
In a sentence:
That math problem went right over my head.
Best use:
When you feel totally lost.
Other ways to say:
- Too tricky
- Can’t figure it out
2. Lost me there
Meaning:
You stopped understanding what someone said.
In a sentence:
You lost me there when you started using big words.
Best use:
For confusing moments.
Other ways to say:
- I’m not following
- Wait, what?
3. Not making sense
Meaning:
Something is unclear or confusing.
In a sentence:
This story is not making sense.
Best use:
When you’re puzzled.
Other ways to say:
- I don’t get it
- What’s going on?
4. Draw a blank
Meaning:
Can’t remember or understand something.
In a sentence:
I drew a blank during the quiz.
Best use:
When your mind goes empty.
Other ways to say:
- Forgot
- Nothing’s coming to me
5. Out of the loop
Meaning:
Not knowing what’s happening.
In a sentence:
I’m out of the loop on this project.
Best use:
When you feel left out.
Other ways to say:
- Didn’t hear
- No idea
6. Can’t wrap my head around it
Meaning:
Struggling to understand something big or difficult.
In a sentence:
I can’t wrap my head around how this works.
Best use:
For tough ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Too much
- Really hard
7. Go over your head
Meaning:
Something too complicated to understand.
In a sentence:
That science talk went over my head.
Best use:
When something is too advanced.
Other ways to say:
- Too hard
- Way too tricky
8. Left in the dark
Meaning:
Not given the information you need.
In a sentence:
I was left in the dark about the plan.
Best use:
When you’re missing details.
Other ways to say:
- No one told me
- Didn’t know
9. Fly over your head
Meaning:
You missed the meaning completely.
In a sentence:
That joke flew over my head.
Best use:
For missed jokes or ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Didn’t get it
- Totally missed it
10. Beats me
Meaning:
I have no idea.
In a sentence:
Beats me why the car won’t start.
Best use:
For total confusion.
Other ways to say:
- No clue
- Who knows
11. Out of my depth
Meaning:
In a situation that’s too difficult.
In a sentence:
I’m out of my depth in this advanced class.
Best use:
When you feel unprepared.
Other ways to say:
- Over my head
- Too much for me
12. Clear as mud
Meaning:
Something that’s very unclear.
In a sentence:
The instructions are clear as mud.
Best use:
For confusing directions.
Other ways to say:
- Makes no sense
- Totally unclear
13. Not following
Meaning:
You’re not understanding the conversation.
In a sentence:
Sorry, I’m not following what you mean.
Best use:
When you’re lost in a talk.
Other ways to say:
- Can you explain?
- I’m confused
14. Over your head
Meaning:
Too hard for you to understand.
In a sentence:
The lesson went over my head.
Best use:
For tricky subjects.
Other ways to say:
- Too much for me
- Way above me
15. In one ear and out the other
Meaning:
You hear something but don’t really understand or remember it.
In a sentence:
The rules went in one ear and out the other.
Best use:
For forgetful moments.
Other ways to say:
- Didn’t stick
- I forgot
16. Not getting it
Meaning:
Not understanding what’s happening.
In a sentence:
I’m not getting it, can you help?
Best use:
When you want help.
Other ways to say:
- Explain again
- I don’t understand
17. Like speaking another language
Meaning:
Something is so hard it feels like a different language.
In a sentence:
Computer codes are like speaking another language.
Best use:
When things feel impossible.
Other ways to say:
- Makes no sense
- So hard
18. Scratching my head
Meaning:
Feeling confused.
In a sentence:
I’m scratching my head over this puzzle.
Best use:
When you’re stuck.
Other ways to say:
- Totally lost
- Don’t get it
19. Puzzle over
Meaning:
Trying hard to understand something.
In a sentence:
We puzzled over the clues for hours.
Best use:
When working on something tricky.
Other ways to say:
- Thinking hard
- Trying to figure it out
20. Mind-boggling
Meaning:
So confusing it blows your mind.
In a sentence:
This riddle is mind-boggling.
Best use:
For super hard things.
Other ways to say:
- chaotic hard
- So tricky
21. Blank stare
Meaning:
Looking confused without saying anything.
In a sentence:
I gave a blank stare when asked that question.
Best use:
When you don’t know what to say.
Other ways to say:
- Staring off
- Totally lost
22. Left scratching your head
Meaning:
Still confused after trying to understand.
In a sentence:
That story left me scratching my head.
Best use:
For ongoing confusion.
Other ways to say:
- Still puzzled
- Can’t figure it out
23. Overcomplicated
Meaning:
Too many details that confuse you.
In a sentence:
This game is way overcomplicated.
Best use:
For rules or ideas that are too much.
Other ways to say:
- Too complex
- Makes it harder
24. Can’t make heads or tails of it
Meaning:
Not understanding anything about it.
In a sentence:
I can’t make heads or tails of this map.
Best use:
When everything feels mixed up.
Other ways to say:
- Totally confused
- Lost
25. Foggy mind
Meaning:
Feeling unclear and slow to understand.
In a sentence:
I have a foggy mind this morning.
Best use:
For tired or slow moments.
Other ways to say:
- Can’t think straight
- Groggy
26. Still up in the air
Meaning:
Something is not decided or clear yet.
In a sentence:
Our plans are still up in the air.
Best use:
For things you don’t know yet.
Other ways to say:
- Not sure
- Waiting to find out
27. Out of the question
Meaning:
Impossible to understand or do.
In a sentence:
Solving that puzzle is out of the question.
Best use:
For things that feel too hard.
Other ways to say:
- No way
- Impossible
Conclusion
These 27 idioms for not understanding help you share those tricky, confusing moments in a fun, easy way. Next time you’re feeling puzzled, try using one of these sayings to express exactly how you feel.
