over (one's) head
1. Too complicated to be understood by one. My jokes always seem to go over Stephanie's head, so I'm glad you think I'm funny at least. A lot of this technical stuff is way over my head.
2. Bypassing one's authority. She just wouldn't listen to me, so I had to go over her head to her boss and complain about it.
3. Lingering as a source of concern or worry for one. All these bills are hanging over my head, and I don't get paid for another week. I'm so glad that exam is over—it's been over my head for months.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*over someone's head
1. Fig. [of the intellectual content of something] too difficult for someone to understand. (*Typically: be ~; go ~; pass ~.) All that talk about computers went over my head. I hope my lecture didn't go over the students'heads.
2. and *over someone; *above someone Fig. to an authority higher than someone. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) I don't want to have to go over your head, but I will if necessary. I had to go over Fran to get it done. My boss wouldn't listen to my complaint, so I went above her.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
above/over somebody’s ˈhead
too difficult for somebody to understand: It was clear from the expression on his face that the lecture went completely over his head.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017