Idioms

understand

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as far as I understand (it)

Based on what I know or have come to understand. As far as I understand it, they want this part of the project by Wednesday. She's supposed to be coming back to work on Thursday, as far as I understand. As far as I understand it, Piper will be in later today—her appointment this morning just ran long.
See also: far, understand

give (one) to believe

To cause one to believe something. Why should I worry? The boss has never given me to believe that she's displeased with my work. What did Mom say that gave you to believe we'd have something fun for dinner? I'm pretty sure she made meatloaf. I was nice to him, and that gave him to believe I was romantically interested, apparently.
See also: believe, give, to

give (one) to understand

To cause one to understand or believe something. Why should I worry? The boss has never given me to understand that she's displeased with my work. What did Mom say that gave you to understand we'd have something fun for dinner? I'm pretty sure she made meatloaf. I was nice to him, and that gave him to understand I was romantically interested, apparently.
See also: give, to, understand

I can't understand (it)

I'm confused or puzzled (by something). I can't understand why Tom would make such a ridiculous statement. I can't understand it, but yes, Sue is selling her beautiful house. Why is it that people with money just love to spend it on the dumbest things? I can't understand it.
See also: understand

I don't understand (it)

I'm confused or puzzled (by something). I don't understand why Tom would make such a ridiculous statement. Honey, I just don't understand—why are you so upset? I don't understand it, but yes, Sue is selling her beautiful house.
See also: understand

What part of "no" do you not understand?

cliché I have already said "no," and that is my final answer, so stop trying to elicit a different response from me. A: "Come on, Mom, just let me borrow the car tonight!" B: "Billy, what part of 'no' do you not understand?" I've rejected their application three times already. What part of "no" do they not understand?
See also: not, of, part, what

What part of "no" don't you understand?

cliché I have already said "no," and that is my final answer, so stop trying to elicit a different response from me. A: "Come on, Mom, just let me borrow the car tonight!" B: "Billy, what part of 'no' don't you understand?" I've rejected their application three times already. What part of "no" don't they understand?
See also: of, part, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give someone to understand something

to explain something to someone; to imply something to someone. (Possibly misleading someone, accidentally or intentionally. See also given to understand.) Mr. Smith gave Sally to understand that she should be home by midnight. The mayor gave the citizens to understand that there would be no tax increase. He didn't promise, though.
See also: give, to, understand

given to understand

[of someone] made to believe [something]. (See also give someone to understand.) They were given to understand that there would be no tax increase, but after the election taxes went up. She was given to understand that she had to be home by midnight.
See also: given, to, understand

I don't understand (it).

 and I can't understand (it).
I am confused and bewildered (by what has happened). Bill: Everyone is leaving the party. Mary: I don't understand. It's still so early. Bob: The very idea, Sue and Tom doing something like that! Alice: It's very strange. I can't understand it.
See also: understand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

give to understand

Lead one to think, as in I was given to understand that the President was coming here. [Mid-1500s]
See also: give, to, understand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

give somebody to beˈlieve/underˈstand (that)...

(formal) (often used in the passive) make somebody believe/understand something: I was given to understand that she had resigned.
See also: believe, give, somebody, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

what part of no don't you understand?

I mean no, and that’s that. This flat denial dates from the late 1900s. It gained currency with a popular song, “What part of no don’t you understand? To put it plain and simple I’m not into one-night stands” (recorded by country music singer Lorrie Morgan, 1992; lyrics by Wayne Perry and Gerald Smith). Also see won't take no for an answer.
See also: no, of, part, what
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
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Cordell, who read on about a fifth-grade level, knew it would take hours to read all those papers, and doubted she'd be able to understand them anyway.
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