go over (one's) head

1. To speak to one's superior rather than talking to one directly. She just wouldn't listen to me, so I had to go over her head to her boss and complain about it.

2. To not be understood by one because it is too complex or subtle for their comprehension. My jokes always seem to go over Stephanie's head, so I'm glad you think I'm funny at least.

COMMON

1. If you go over the head of someone in authority, you communicate directly with someone in a higher position to try to get what you want. Don't break office protocol by going over your boss's head. He was reprimanded for trying to go over the heads of senior officers.

2. If something that someone says or writes goes over your head, you do not understand it because it is too difficult for you. A lot of what he writes goes over my head. Note: You can also say that something is over your head. Most of the article was over my head. Compare with talk over someone's head.