Can't make heads or tails of Meaning in English

expression

US

KANT mayk HEDZ or TAYLZ uhv

UK

KAHNT mayk HEDZ aw TAYLZ ov

Definition

Used to say that you are completely unable to understand something, especially because it is confusing or unclear.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and idiomatic; most often used when talking about confusing documents, instructions, or speech. Usually used in the negative: 'can't make heads or tails of...'. Synonymous with 'completely lost', but not used in formal writing.

• Spanish: no puedo entender - no entiendo nada de
• Portuguese (BR): não consigo entender - não faço ideia de
• Portuguese (PT): não percebo nada de - não consigo perceber
• Chinese (Simplified): 完全看不懂 - 完全搞不清楚
• Chinese (Traditional): 完全看不懂 - 完全搞不清楚
• Hindi: बिल्कुल समझ नहीं आ रहा
• Arabic: لا أستطيع أن أفهم شيئاً - لا أفهم شيئاً على الإطلاق
• Bengali: একেবারেই কিছুই বুঝতে পারা যায় না - কিছুই বোঝা যায় না
• Russian: ничего не понять - ничего не разобрать
• Japanese: さっぱりわからない - 全然理解できない
• Vietnamese: hoàn toàn không hiểu gì cả - chẳng hiểu nổi
• Korean: 도무지 이해할 수 없다 - 전혀 모르겠다
• Turkish: hiçbir şey anlamamak - hiçbir şey çıkaramamak
• Urdu: بالکل کچھ سمجھ میں نہ آنا - کچھ بھی نہ سمجھنا
• Indonesian: sama sekali tidak mengerti - benar-benar bingung

Example Sentences

I can't make heads or tails of this math problem.

basic

She read the instructions but can't make heads or tails of them.

basic

My brother can't make heads or tails of this message.

basic

After looking at the subway map for ten minutes, I still can't make heads or tails of it.

natural

Honestly, I can't make heads or tails of what he was trying to say at the meeting.

natural

That legal document? I can't make heads or tails of it without help.

natural