Sometimes, people pretend they don’t know something or truly don’t understand what is happening around them. Over time, people have made short, smart sayings to talk about these situations. These sayings are called idioms. They help make language more fun and easier to understand.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that describe being unaware, ignoring facts, or acting like you don’t notice things. These idioms can be used in everyday talking and writing. Learning them will help you speak better and understand others more easily.
Idioms About Ignorance
1. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To pretend not to notice something
Example Sentence:
• The teacher turned a blind eye when the students whispered.
• He turned a blind eye to the mess in his room.
Other ways to say: Ignore, look the other way
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from a famous British admiral who ignored orders by putting a telescope to his blind eye.
Usage: Used when someone chooses to ignore a problem.
2. Play dumb
Meaning: To pretend not to know something
Example Sentence:
• She played dumb when asked who broke the vase.
• He played dumb about the missing cookie.
Other ways to say: Act clueless, pretend not to know
Fun Fact/Origin: People use this to hide the truth or avoid trouble.
Usage: Used when someone acts like they don’t understand on purpose.
3. In the dark
Meaning: Not knowing about something important
Example Sentence:
• I was in the dark about the surprise party.
• He was in the dark about the new rule.
Other ways to say: Unaware, out of the loop
Fun Fact/Origin: Being in the dark means not seeing clearly, just like not knowing.
Usage: Used when someone isn’t told or doesn’t know something.
4. Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: To not listen on purpose
Example Sentence:
• She turned a deaf ear to the warnings.
• They turned a deaf ear to the coach’s advice.
Other ways to say: Ignore, refuse to listen
Fun Fact/Origin: Deaf means not able to hear, so this means choosing not to hear.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t want to listen to advice or complaints.
5. Head in the sand
Meaning: To avoid seeing or admitting something
Example Sentence:
• He has his head in the sand about his grades.
• She kept her head in the sand about her messy room.
Other ways to say: Ignore the truth, avoid problems
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that ostriches hide their heads, though they don’t really.
Usage: Used when someone avoids facing problems.
6. Not have a clue
Meaning: To not know something at all
Example Sentence:
• I didn’t have a clue how to solve the puzzle.
• He doesn’t have a clue where his backpack is.
Other ways to say: No idea, completely lost
Fun Fact/Origin: A “clue” is a hint, so no clue means no hint at all.
Usage: Used when someone has no knowledge about something.
7. Play it by ear
Meaning: To decide what to do as things happen
Example Sentence:
• Let’s play it by ear and see how the day goes.
• We didn’t plan, so we played it by ear.
Other ways to say: Go with the flow, figure it out later
Fun Fact/Origin: Originally used in music when someone played without written notes.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t plan ahead.
8. Out to lunch
Meaning: Not paying attention or acting confused
Example Sentence:
• He was out to lunch during math class.
• She’s always out to lunch when we talk.
Other ways to say: Spacey, not focused
Fun Fact/Origin: Sounds like someone is away eating, so not present in mind.
Usage: Used when someone seems unaware or confused.
9. Lost on someone
Meaning: Not understood by someone
Example Sentence:
• The joke was lost on him.
• The lesson was lost on the class.
Other ways to say: Not understood, didn’t get it
Fun Fact/Origin: Means something was “lost” because it didn’t reach the person’s mind.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t get the point or meaning.
10. Go over one’s head
Meaning: Too hard for someone to understand
Example Sentence:
• That science lesson went over my head.
• The math problem went over her head.
Other ways to say: Too hard, didn’t get it
Fun Fact/Origin: If it goes over your head, it doesn’t “hit” your brain.
Usage: Used when something is too tricky or complex.
11. Ignorance is bliss
Meaning: Sometimes it’s better not to know something
Example Sentence:
• She didn’t know the truth, and she was happier—ignorance is bliss.
• He stayed cheerful because he didn’t know the problem—ignorance is bliss.
Other ways to say: Not knowing can feel better
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from a poem written in the 1700s.
Usage: Used when someone is happier not knowing the facts.
12. Go in one ear and out the other
Meaning: Not remembered or listened to
Example Sentence:
• Mom’s advice went in one ear and out the other.
• The rules went in one ear and out the other.
Other ways to say: Ignored, didn’t stick
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes something being heard but quickly forgotten.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t remember or care about what’s said.
13. Bury your head in the sand
Meaning: To hide from problems
Example Sentence:
• She buried her head in the sand about her homework.
• He buried his head in the sand instead of facing the test.
Other ways to say: Avoid facing it, pretend it’s not real
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “head in the sand”; people believe ostriches do this, but it’s a myth.
Usage: Used when someone refuses to deal with problems.
14. Don’t know the first thing
Meaning: Know nothing about something
Example Sentence:
• I don’t know the first thing about sewing.
• He doesn’t know the first thing about cars.
Other ways to say: Clueless, beginner
Fun Fact/Origin: Means the person hasn’t even learned the basics.
Usage: Used to show someone doesn’t know even the simplest part.
15. Not the brightest bulb
Meaning: Not very smart
Example Sentence:
• He’s not the brightest bulb, but he’s kind.
• She forgot her homework again—she’s not the brightest bulb.
Other ways to say: Not sharp, not clever
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulbs shine; a dim one means not bright, like the mind.
Usage: Used when someone lacks smarts or understanding.
16. Miss the point
Meaning: Not understand the main idea
Example Sentence:
• He missed the point of the story.
• She missed the point of the game.
Other ways to say: Didn’t get it, misunderstood
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from aiming at a target and missing it.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t understand what really matters.
17. Off the mark
Meaning: Not accurate or wrong
Example Sentence:
• His answer was off the mark.
• Her guess was way off the mark.
Other ways to say: Wrong, mistaken
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from aiming at a target and missing it.
Usage: Used when someone is wrong or misses the idea.
18. Mind like a sieve
Meaning: Forget things easily
Example Sentence:
• I have a mind like a sieve—I forgot again!
• He lost his notes again—his mind’s like a sieve.
Other ways to say: Forgetful, leaky memory
Fun Fact/Origin: A sieve has holes, so things pass through easily.
Usage: Used when someone can’t remember things well.
19. Not ring a bell
Meaning: Doesn’t sound familiar
Example Sentence:
• That name doesn’t ring a bell.
• The story didn’t ring a bell with her.
Other ways to say: Doesn’t sound known, unfamiliar
Fun Fact/Origin: Bells ring to get your attention. If nothing rings, nothing stands out.
Usage: Used when something is not remembered.
20. Clueless
Meaning: Having no idea
Example Sentence:
• I’m clueless about how this works.
• He’s clueless when it comes to baking.
Other ways to say: No idea, lost
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the word “clue”—meaning no hints.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t know anything about something.
21. A few fries short of a Happy Meal
Meaning: Not very smart or aware
Example Sentence:
• He forgot his shoes again—he’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal.
• She tried to microwave her notebook—she’s a few fries short.
Other ways to say: Not all there, a bit slow
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from fast food meals; if something is missing, it’s not complete.
Usage: Used playfully to say someone isn’t thinking clearly.
22. Airhead
Meaning: Someone who isn’t thinking
Example Sentence:
• She forgot her backpack—what an airhead!
• He’s such an airhead when he daydreams.
Other ways to say: Silly, forgetful
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests their head is full of air, not thoughts.
Usage: Used to describe someone who’s not focused.
23. Scatterbrained
Meaning: Easily distracted or forgetful
Example Sentence:
• He’s scatterbrained and loses everything.
• Her scatterbrained ideas made no sense.
Other ways to say: All over the place, forgetful
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests thoughts are scattered like puzzle pieces.
Usage: Used when someone isn’t organized in their thoughts.
24. Slow on the uptake
Meaning: Takes a long time to understand
Example Sentence:
• He’s slow on the uptake—he just now got the joke.
• She’s slow to understand math problems.
Other ways to say: Takes time to get it, not quick
Fun Fact/Origin: “Uptake” means taking in something; if you’re slow, it takes longer.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t understand quickly.
25. Lights are on, but nobody’s home
Meaning: Someone looks alert but isn’t paying attention
Example Sentence:
• She stared at the board, but the lights were on and nobody was home.
• He was in class, but not really—nobody was home.
Other ways to say: Zoned out, not mentally present
Fun Fact/Origin: Looks normal outside, but inside they’re not focused.
Usage: Used when someone is distracted or daydreaming.
26. Can’t make heads or tails of it
Meaning: Can’t understand at all
Example Sentence:
• I can’t make heads or tails of this puzzle.
• She couldn’t make heads or tails of the directions.
Other ways to say: Confused, lost
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from flipping a coin; can’t tell which side is up.
Usage: Used when something makes no sense.
27. Blank slate
Meaning: Someone who knows nothing yet
Example Sentence:
• He’s a blank slate when it comes to history.
• She was a blank slate on how to use the computer.
Other ways to say: Beginner, fresh start
Fun Fact/Origin: A slate is like a board you write on; blank means empty.
Usage: Used when someone has no prior knowledge.
28. Living under a rock
Meaning: Not knowing about things others do
Example Sentence:
• He didn’t know the president—he’s living under a rock!
• She missed the big news—must be living under a rock.
Other ways to say: Out of touch, unaware
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests someone is so hidden they miss everything.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t know about common things.
Quiz: Idioms About Ignorance
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “turn a blind eye” mean?
A) To look for trouble
B) To pretend not to see something
C) To wear glasses
2. If someone is “playing dumb,” what are they doing?
A) Acting like they don’t know
B) Solving a hard problem
C) Being really smart
3. What does it mean if you are “in the dark” about something?
A) You are outside at night
B) You are hiding
C) You don’t know what’s going on
4. What does “head in the sand” mean?
A) Playing at the beach
B) Ignoring problems
C) Looking for something
5. If someone “goes over your head,” what happened?
A) They jumped really high
B) They confused you
C) They flew a kite
6. If something “goes in one ear and out the other,” what happened?
A) You heard it and remembered
B) You ignored it
C) You wore headphones
7. What does “not ring a bell” mean?
A) The school bell didn’t work
B) It sounds familiar
C) You don’t remember it
8. What does “scatterbrained” mean?
A) Very focused
B) Easily forgets things
C) Loves to do puzzles
9. What is someone doing if they’re “living under a rock”?
A) Camping
B) Not knowing basic news
C) Studying a lot
10. If someone has a “mind like a sieve,” what does that mean?
A) They remember everything
B) They forget things easily
C) They solve riddles fast
11. What does “lights are on, but nobody’s home” mean?
A) Someone is not thinking
B) Someone is watching TV
C) The house is empty
12. What does it mean to “miss the point”?
A) To skip a question
B) To win a game
C) To not understand the main idea
Answer Key
- B) To pretend not to see something
- A) Acting like they don’t know
- C) You don’t know what’s going on
- B) Ignoring problems
- B) They confused you
- B) You ignored it
- C) You don’t remember it
- B) Easily forgets things
- B) Not knowing basic news
- B) They forget things easily
- A) Someone is not thinking
- C) To not understand the main idea
Wrapping Up
Idioms about ignorance help us talk about times when people don’t know something or act like they don’t. These sayings make language more fun and help us explain things in simple ways.
Learning these idioms can help you understand conversations better and use creative words when you speak or write. Keep an eye out for them—you’ll start to hear them all around you.
