haven't a clue

1. To not have even a remote grasp or understanding (of something); to be hopelessly confused or ignorant (about something). You'd expect the average citizen to struggle to explain the workings of government, but now it seems like even most politicians haven't a clue! You haven't a clue how to talk to people, do you? When it comes to trigonometry, I just haven't a clue.

2. To be completely unaware (of something). A: "Do you think Pat suspects that we're having a surprise party for him? B: "No, he hasn't a clue!" A: "Were you aware that Sarah and Pauline were having money troubles?" B: "Oh my goodness, no—I hadn't a clue!" A: "No, I hadn't a clue anything was wrong!" B: "How oblivious are you? The tension was palpable!"

not have a clue

1. To not have even a remote grasp or understanding of something; to be hopelessly confused or ignorant about something. You'd expect the average citizen to struggle to explain the workings of government, but now it seems like even most politicians don't have a clue! You don't have a clue about how to talk to people, do you? When it comes to trigonometry, I just don't have a clue.

2. To be completely unaware of something. A: "Do you think Paul suspects that we're having a surprise party for him? B: "No, he doesn't have a clue!"

See also: clue, have, not

have a clue (about something)

Fig. to know anything about something; to have even a hint about someone or something. (Usually negative.) I don't have a clue about where to start looking for Jim. Why do you think I have a clue about Tom's disappearance?

not have a clue

Have no idea or inkling about something, as in Jane doesn't have a clue as to why John won't call her, or Do you know what's wrong with the boiler?-No, I haven't a clue. This usage was first recorded in 1928.

See also: clue, have, not

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.

not have a clue

INFORMAL

COMMON If you do not have a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it. When I met my wife she didn't have any clue about cricket. Nobody has a clue where he's gone. I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to be doing.

See also: clue, have, not

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

not have a clue

know nothing about something or about how to do something. informal

See also: clue, have, not

not have a ˈclue

(informal)
1 know nothing about something or about how to do something: ‘Who’s that woman over there?’ ‘I’m afraid I don’t have a clue.’ ♢ I haven’t a clue how to get there.
2 (disapproving) be stupid; lack skill or ability: It’s a waste of time trying to teach him anything: he hasn’t got a clue. ▶ ˈclueless adj. (informal, disapproving) very stupid; not able to understand or to do something: He’s completely clueless about computers.

See also: clue, have, not

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