Learn common English idioms about knowledge and understanding.
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10 English Idioms about Knowledge
I’m sure that you are visiting this website because you would like to learn English and improve your English speaking skills. You would like to learn new English vocabulary words and gain new knowledge. Idiomatic expressions are a very important part of learning English, so today let’s take a look at English idioms about knowledge and understanding.
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INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
get the hang of something
Meaning: to properly understand how to do something or how something works.
Example:
I got a new phone. It was complicated at first but when I read the leaflet I soon got the hang of it and was able to use it.
get the picture
Meaning: to see something clearly or to understand something clearly.
Example:
I did not know that Michael and Mary were dating, I saw them together in the park and soon got the picture.
10 English Idioms about Knowledge
get your head around something
Meaning: to work something out or figure out what to do.
Example:
My boss gave me a complicated task, it took me some time to understand what I needed to do but eventually, I got my head around the problem.
a grey area
Meaning: something not clear and not easily explained. When something is very clear, we say it is black and white (easy to understand). If it is not easy, it is somewhere in between; that is a grey area.
Example:
He had two bosses, both of them frequently gave him orders. He was not clear as to which one he should report. It was a grey area for him.
English Idioms about Knowledge
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not have a clue
Meaning: have no idea about something
Example:
John is 21 tomorrow and I do not have a clue as to what I should buy him.
jump to conclusions
Meaning: to make a decision without having or knowing all the facts.
Example:
Brian was not home at his usual time 4 pm. His mother jumped to the conclusion that he had had an accident.
read between the lines
Meaning: to try to understand what another person has implied in what he/she said.
Example:
I got a letter from my daughter yesterday. She is coming home for a holiday. Reading between the lines I think she has broken up with her boyfriend.
10 English Idioms about Knowledge
up to speed
Meaning: to have the latest information about something.
Example:
The new boss interviewed all the staff and got up to speed very quickly.
two heads are better than one
Meaning: solving problems, looking for solutions and brainstorming ideas with another person instead of on your own has many benefits
Example:
How about working together on the month-end report? Two heads are better than one!
can’t make heads or tails of
Meaning: can’t get my head around something, don’t understand something
Example:
I listened carefully to my English teacher but I couldn’t make heads or tails of the grammar rules he was trying to explain.
Can't make head or tail of something meaning
Here we have 10 common English idioms about knowledge and understanding. Let’s repeat them one more time:
- get the hang of something
- get the picture
- get your head around something
- a grey area
- not have a clue
- jump to conclusions
- read between the lines
- up to speed
- two heads are better than one
- can’t make heads or tails of something
Let’s check your understanding. Practice the use of idioms about knowledge in the comments below.
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More Information
For more information on English Phrasal Verbs, English Idioms and English Grammar Rules, check out the following links:
English Expressions related to Work
Common English expressions with Two Words
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