{"id":8209,"date":"2025-04-28T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=8209"},"modified":"2025-04-23T06:42:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T06:42:57","slug":"dont-understand-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Say When You Don't Understand Something"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Formal_Phrases\" >Formal Phrases<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Im_unclear_onabout\" >I&#8217;m unclear on\/about ~<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Im_not_sure_what_you_mean_by\" >I\u2019m not sure what you mean by ~<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Im_a_little_confused_about\" >I\u2019m (a little) confused about ~<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Im_a_bit_lost\" >I\u2019m (a bit) lost.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Casual_Phrases\" >Casual Phrases<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#I_dont_have_the_foggiest_idea\" >I don\u2019t have the foggiest idea.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#I_dont_have_a_clue\" >I don\u2019t have a clue.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#I_have_no_idea\" >I have no idea.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Dont_look_at_me\" >Don\u2019t look at me.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Your_guess_is_as_good_as_mine\" >Your guess is as good as mine.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Learning a new language can be hard \u2014 there will be many times when you don't quite understand what someone has said. These misunderstandings can happen because of your language skills or because the other person hasn't explained themselves clearly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can you respond in these situations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time, we'll introduce short phrases you can use to tell your partner you don't know or understand something.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Formal_Phrases\"><\/span><strong>Formal Phrases<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Im_unclear_onabout\"><\/span><strong>I&#8217;m unclear on\/about ~<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young man with a confused expression adjusting his glasses\" class=\"wp-image-8215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06024922\/understand_pexels-cottonbro-studio-62095631-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>English speakers often say that something is \"clear\" if it is understandable \u2014\u00a0just imagine a picture in your head with details that are easy to see and recognize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the image is unclear, however, it won't make much sense to you, which is why we use this phrase when we don't understand something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I\u2019m sorry, <strong>I\u2019m unclear<\/strong> on this details of the project.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m not clear<\/strong> on the last thing you said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Is anyone <strong>unclear<\/strong> on what we need to do today?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Im_not_sure_what_you_mean_by\"><\/span><strong>I\u2019m not sure what you mean by ~<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this phrase when there is a particular piece of information you don\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m not sure what you mean by<\/strong> \u201csoon.\u201d Do you need it today?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m not quite sure what you mean by<\/strong> that. Could you explain, please?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Im_a_little_confused_about\"><\/span><strong>I\u2019m (a little) confused about ~<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can simply say \u201cI\u2019m confused,\u201d but it\u2019s better to refer to something specific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m confused<\/strong> <strong>about<\/strong> the last part of your presentation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m a little confused about<\/strong> what you need us to do.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Im_a_bit_lost\"><\/span><strong>I\u2019m (a bit) lost.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can be \"lost\" anytime you're confused \u2014 not only when you don\u2019t know <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/lessons\/travel-culture-sightseeing-finding-the-way\/54i16iwgEeeivDuFVTLSTQ?category_id=KpAtCsOrEeisw4ceJUw1Tw&amp;course_id=Ooab7sYJEeilNZ982zBAMg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">which direction to go<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Honestly, <strong>I\u2019m a little lost<\/strong> on our team\u2019s goals. What should be our priority now?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I\u2019m a bit lost<\/strong>. Can you explain this document to me?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Casual_Phrases\"><\/span><strong>Casual Phrases<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The phrases we\u2019ve introduced above are great for professional situations. The following, however, are more casual and are best in informal environments. Think of these phrases as alternatives to \"I don't know.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_dont_have_the_foggiest_idea\"><\/span><strong>I don\u2019t have the foggiest idea.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman standing in foggy forest\" class=\"wp-image-8216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025008\/understand_andrew-neel-aebPbwAWjDs-unsplash1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned earlier, clearness represents understanding. Fog, however, makes it difficult to see things, which is why this expression is common for expressing confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I don\u2019t have the foggiest idea<\/strong> what he meant by that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This phrase is often shortened, as in the following example.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141857\/avatar_39.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">What does this sign mean?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141737\/avatar_28.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>I haven\u2019t got the foggiest<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_dont_have_a_clue\"><\/span><strong>I don\u2019t have a clue.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This phrase expresses that you're completely confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I don\u2019t have a clue<\/strong> where to find the information I need.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>We don\u2019t have a clue<\/strong> where to begin.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>An even more casual expression is simply \u201cNo clue,\u201d which is used as a response to a question.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141607\/avatar_12.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">When is the next train scheduled to arrive?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141826\/avatar_33.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>No clue.<\/strong> I hope it\u2019s soon because it\u2019s cold out here!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_have_no_idea\"><\/span><strong>I have no idea.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025059\/understand_shutterstock_22989772851-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A confused young woman shrugging her shoulders\" class=\"wp-image-8217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025059\/understand_shutterstock_22989772851-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025059\/understand_shutterstock_22989772851-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/06025059\/understand_shutterstock_22989772851-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is similar to \"I have no clue.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jasmine asked me to recommend some local restaurants, but <strong>I have no idea<\/strong> what to tell her.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141657\/avatar_22.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Where's Phil?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141743\/avatar_29.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>I have no idea.<\/strong> I'll call him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_look_at_me\"><\/span><strong>Don\u2019t look at me.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This phrase actually means \u201cDon\u2019t expect me to know the answer.\u201d Just like \"No clue,\" it's used as a response.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141624\/avatar_16.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Does anyone know where the nearest pharmacy is?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141544\/avatar_5.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>Don\u2019t look at me<\/strong>. I'm new to this area.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget, these expressions are very informal, so be careful where you use them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_guess_is_as_good_as_mine\"><\/span><strong>Your guess is as good as mine.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With this phrase, the speaker is saying that they can only guess what the answer is. In other words, they know just as little as the person asking the question.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141547\/avatar_6.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">How much do you think that house costs?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141747\/avatar_30.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>Your guess is as good as mine.<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many students don't speak up when they're confused about something \u2014 and unfortunately, this often results in even more confusion later!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don't understand something, instead of pretending that you do, be honest and ask for more explanation \u2014\u00a0it will make things much easier for you and for the people around you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more suggestions on what to say in confusing situations, read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/10-ways-to-politely-ask-for-clarification-in-english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learning a new language can be hard \u2014 there will be many times when you don't quite understand what someone has said. These misunderstandings can happen because of your language skills or because the other...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":8220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-work","category-language-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What to Say When You Don&#039;t Understand Something | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It can be difficult to respond to something you don&#039;t quite know or understand. Use this list of phrases to help you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/dont-understand-phrases\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What to Say When You Don&#039;t Understand Something | Engoo Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It can be difficult to respond to something you don&#039;t quite know or understand. 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