What are you talking about?

[0235] I can't make heads or tails of it

🎲 I think..
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An idiom meaning you cannot understand something at all; it's completely confusing or nonsensical.

Origin

  • Refers to the two sides of a coin: heads (the side with a person's head) and tails (the reverse side).
  • If you can't distinguish which side is which (perhaps the coin is worn or unfamiliar), you can't make sense of it.
  • The expression implies total confusion or inability to decipher meaning or structure. Dates back to the 17th century or earlier.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • It's all Greek to me. (Meaning it's completely unintelligible)
  • I'm completely lost/confused.
  • I don't understand it at all.
  • It makes no sense.
  • It's clear as mud. (Sarcastic, means it's very unclear)
  • I can't get my head around it. (UK/Aus)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • I'm clueless.
  • This is fucked. / This shit's confusing as hell. (Vulgar)
  • My brain hurts trying to figure this out.
  • It's gibberish. / It's word salad.

More Formal:

  • I find it completely unintelligible.
  • I'm unable to comprehend this.
  • The meaning is entirely obscure to me.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Generally informal to semi-formal.
  • Perfectly fine in most everyday conversations and many work situations, especially when expressing difficulty with complex or poorly explained information.
  • Might be slightly too informal for very high-stakes formal presentations or reports.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Non-native speakers might try to interpret heads and tails literally. Explain it's an idiom for total confusion.

Examples

  • These instructions are terribly written; I can't make heads or tails of them.
  • He gave such a rambling explanation, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
  • This abstract art piece... honestly, I can't make heads or tails of it.

Dialogue

Alice: Have you figured out this new software update yet?

Bob: Not a chance. I've read the manual twice, and I still can't make heads or tails of it. The interface is completely different.

Alice: I know, right? Maybe we should ask Carol; she seems to have gotten the hang of it.

Bob: Good idea.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Trying to understand the new tax code changes... I can't make heads or tails of it. #confused #taxes
  • Forum post: Need help with this IKEA assembly manual. I can't make heads or tails of step 5. Anyone?

Response Patterns

  • Sympathy or agreement: Yeah, it's really confusing. / Tell me about it!
  • Offering help: Do you want me to take a look? / Maybe I can help decipher it.
  • Sharing their own confusion: Me neither! It's complete gibberish.
  • Explaining it (if they understand): Oh, basically what it means is...

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says I can't make heads or tails of it:

  • One might ask What part is confusing you? or offer assistance.
  • One might abandon the confusing item/topic or seek help from a third party.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • It's a statement expressing confusion about something specific.

Intonation

  • Usually spoken with a tone of frustration or bewilderment.
  • Stress often falls on can't, heads, and tails. I CAN'T make HEADS or TAILS of it.
  • Falling intonation at the end, stating a conclusion of confusion.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood across generations, though perhaps slightly more common among older speakers. Younger speakers might just say I don't get it or This makes no sense.

Regional Variations

  • Common in both American and British English, as well as other variants.
What are you talking about?
🎲 I think..