1036 Make sense of something

Explanation

To understand something that is confusing, illogical, or difficult to grasp.

Origin

This phrase uses sense in its meaning of logic, reason, or coherence.
To make sense of something is literally to find or impose logic or understanding onto it.
It implies that the subject is initially unclear or disordered, and requires mental effort to interpret.
Used broadly since at least the 19th century.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Figure it out
Get my head around it / Wrap my head around it
Crack it
Suss it out (UK/Aus)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Make fucking sense of this (shit).
Figure this damn thing out.

Milder:

Understand
Grasp
Comprehend

Situational Appropriateness

Appropriate in most situations, both formal and informal.
Very common when dealing with complex information or puzzling situations.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Generally straightforward, the main difficulty for learners is knowing when the situation calls for this specific idiom over simpler verbs like 'understand'. It emphasizes the initial confusion.

Examples

It took me a while to make sense of the complex instructions.
Can you help me make sense of these figures?
I'm trying to make sense of his strange behavior lately.

Dialogue

Sarah: I've read this email three times, but I can't make sense of what they're asking for.

Tom: Yeah, it's poorly written. Let me see... Okay, I think they want the sales figures for Q3.

Sarah: Ah, okay. That makes sense now. Thanks!

Response Patterns

I'm still trying to make sense of it myself.
It doesn't make much sense to me either.
Let me take a look, maybe I can make sense of it.
Yeah, I think I'm starting to make sense of it now.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says they can't make sense of something:

What part is confusing you?
Can you show me?
Offering help: Maybe I can help you make sense of it.

After someone says they can make sense of it:

Great, could you explain it to me then?
What did you figure out?

Conversation Starter

No. Usually used during a discussion about something already identified as confusing.

Intonation

Stress typically falls on make and sense.
Often said with a slightly puzzled or determined tone.
Can you MAKE SENSE of this?

Generation Differences

Used commonly across all generations.

Regional Variations

Standard expression used in all major English-speaking regions.

See the light

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[1036] Make sense of something