1040 Can't make heads or tails of it

Explanation

To be completely unable to understand something; to find something utterly confusing, nonsensical, or disordered.

Origin

This idiom refers to the two sides of a coin: heads (showing a head or main image) and tails (the reverse side).
The idea is that if you can't make heads or tails of something, it's so jumbled or unclear that you can't even distinguish its most basic, opposing parts. You can't orient yourself to understand its structure or meaning.
The expression dates back to at least the 17th century.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

It's beyond me.
I don't get it at all.
It's double Dutch (UK).
My brain can't compute.

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Can't make fucking heads or tails of this (shit).
What the fuck does this even mean?
This is complete bullshit/nonsense.

Milder:

It's very confusing.
I don't understand it.
It's unclear.

Situational Appropriateness

Informal to neutral.
Acceptable in most spoken contexts, including many work situations, but avoid in very formal writing (like a scientific paper).

Misunderstanding Warnings

Learners need to understand it's not literally about coins. It signifies complete confusion or lack of understanding.

Examples

These assembly instructions are terrible; 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 financial report is a mess. Can't make heads or tails of these numbers.

Dialogue

Agent Sharma: Did you decode the message from the informant?

Agent Bond: I've been trying all night, but it's some kind of complex cipher. I can't make heads or tails of it yet.

Agent Sharma: Keep trying. The information could be crucial.

Response Patterns

Let me have a look. / Let me see if I can figure it out.
Yeah, it's completely confusing. / Me neither.
It looks like gibberish.
It's all Greek to me. (Another idiom for incomprehensible).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says they can't make heads or tails of something:

Asking for clarification: What seems to be the problem?
Offering help: Want me to take a look?
Giving up: Maybe we should ask someone else. / Let's ignore it for now.
Showing the confusing item to another person.

Conversation Starter

No. It's a reaction to something specific that is confusing.

Intonation

Strong stress on can't, heads, and tails.
I CAN'T make HEADS or TAILS of it.
Often spoken with a tone of frustration or bewilderment.

Generation Differences

Widely understood. It might sound slightly old-fashioned to some very young speakers, but it's still in common use.

Regional Variations

Common in all major English-speaking regions.

Wrap your head around something

🎲 Think outside the box

[1040] Can't make heads or tails of it