Not able to make anything out of Meaning in English

expression

US

NAHT AY-buhl TOO/TUH/TIH MAYK EN-ee-thing OWT uhv

UK

NOT AY-buhl TOO MAYK EN-ee-thing OWT OV

Definition

Used to say you can't understand, interpret, or get any meaning from something. Often refers to speech, writing, or situations that are too confusing or unclear.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, idiomatic English expression. It's used for situations where something is so unclear that you get absolutely no understanding from it, especially with handwriting, speech, or abstract ideas. It often appears as 'I can't make anything out of it' or 'I'm not able to make anything out of this.' Similar to 'can't make heads or tails of.'

• Spanish: no poder entender nada de - no poder sacar nada en claro de
• Portuguese (BR): não conseguir entender nada de - não conseguir tirar nada de
• Portuguese (PT): não conseguir perceber nada de - não conseguir tirar nada de
• Chinese (Simplified): 完全无法理解 - 一点都看不懂
• Chinese (Traditional): 完全無法理解 - 一點都看不懂
• Hindi: कुछ भी समझ नहीं पाना
• Arabic: عدم القدرة على فهم أي شيء من
• Bengali: কিছুই বুঝতে না পারা
• Russian: ничего не могу понять в - не могу ничего разобрать в
• Japanese: 全く分からない - 何も読み取れない
• Vietnamese: không thể hiểu được gì về
• Korean: 전혀 이해하지 못하다 - 아무것도 알아내지 못하다
• Turkish: hiçbir şey anlayamamak - hiçbir şey çıkaramamak
• Urdu: کچھ بھی نہیں سمجھ پانا
• Indonesian: tidak bisa memahami apa-apa dari

Example Sentences

The handwriting was so messy that I was not able to make anything out of it.

basic

I listened to the instructions, but was not able to make anything out of them.

basic

The movie plot was so complicated, I was not able to make anything out of it.

basic

I tried reading his notes, but honestly, I was not able to make anything out of them.

natural

Honestly, when he talked about quantum physics, I was not able to make anything out of it at all.

natural

That legal document was so complex that I was not able to make anything out of it without help.

natural