make heads or tails of something
Meaning: To understand something.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The head is the top or front of something, while the tail is the bottom or back. In use since the 1600s, the phrase make heads or tails of something means to understand it from beginning to end (top to bottom). The expression is usually used in the negative or in question form.
More idioms — Daily Life
- make or break — To be the deciding factor in whether something succeeds or fails.
- make something from scratch — To make something by putting together the separate basic components, rather than using a…
- make the grade — To meet standards; to be satisfactory.
- make tracks — To leave, usually quickly.
- mark time — To wait out one's time by doing the minimum and without progressing.
- midas touch — The ability to make money or to be successful at everything one becomes involved in.
More English idioms
- method to one's madness — Explanation; forethought or logic.
- mind one's own business — To not inquire about, become involved in, or interfere with other people's affairs.
- miss the boat — To miss an opportunity because one is too late.
- money to burn — Extra money; money to spend however one likes.
- more something than one bargained for — More than one expected.
- nip something in the bud — To stop something before it becomes big or involved; to stop something before it gets muc…
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