ken

a bit beyond (one's) ken

Advanced beyond one's ability to understand or make sense of the subject matter or task at hand. The stuff they're teaching in this advanced math class is a bit beyond my ken.
See also: beyond, bit, ken

be beyond (one's) ken

To be advanced beyond one's ability to understand or make sense of the subject matter or task at hand. The stuff they're teaching in this advanced math class is beyond my ken.
See also: beyond, ken

beyond (one's) ken

Advanced beyond one's ability to understand or make sense of the subject matter or task at hand. The stuff they're teaching in this advanced math class is beyond my ken.
See also: beyond, ken

flash-ken

obsolete A place, often a lodging house, that aids thieves, as by providing them with shelter. My fine establishment is no flash-ken! Send these rogues away at once!

ken-burster

obsolete A burglar. I know that man—he's a ken-burster who's stolen from many houses in the area!

kencracker

obsolete A burglar. I know that man—he's a kencracker who's stolen from many houses in the area!

ken-miller

obsolete A burglar. I know that man—he's a ken-miller who's stolen from many houses in the area!

outside (one's) ken

Advanced beyond one's ability to understand or make sense of the subject matter or task at hand. The stuff they're teaching in this advanced math class is outside my ken.
See also: ken, outside
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

beyond one's ken

outside the extent of one's knowledge or understanding. Why she married that shiftless drunkard is beyond our ken. His mean attitude to others is quite beyond my ken.
See also: beyond, ken
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

beyond your ken

If something is beyond your ken, you do not know about it or understand it. The quirks of the antiques business were beyond his ken. The scientific subject matter is beyond the ken of the average person. Note: `Ken' here means the full range of someone's knowledge or understanding. The Scottish verb `ken' means `know'.
See also: beyond, ken
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

beyond your ken

outside your range of knowledge or understanding.
See also: beyond, ken
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beyond/outside your ˈken

(old-fashioned) not within your knowledge or understanding: Such things are beyond my ken.
Ken is an old word for ‘knowledge’.
See also: beyond, ken, outside
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • beyond (one's) ken
  • beyond ken
  • beyond your ken
  • beyond/outside your ken
  • a bit beyond (one's) ken
  • outside (one's) ken
  • be beyond (one's) ken
  • it's beyond me
  • above (one's) head
  • above your head
References in periodicals archive
Their love affair remained hidden as Ken had a wife, Monica, whom he had met while studying in Austria.
How Anne Thumbi's love with Ken Okoth blossomed
Ken said that he always shunned the so-called 'juice head' culture that became popular in the 90s, when some bodybuilders took steroids to develop increased bulk.
How Ken, 68, from Norris Green became Mr Universe; Chicken and turkey, steak and veg order of the day for bodybuilder
Viewers spot embarrassing "error" in Ken Dodd tribute - but it might not be exactly as it seems
Sir Ken Dodd's amazing final gift to the people of Liverpool; The Squire of Knotty Ash did make a will several years ago, but it only came to light recently
Paying tribute to Ken, his sister Dawn described the Welshman as laid back, easy going and known for his love of animals.
Great-grandad Ken was a man of many talents
Even if the pair are not a match, Neil will still be able to donate to someone who is and Ken will be given priority for the next match that becomes available.
What a great neighbour! neil steps in to donate a kidney to help his pal after four-year transplant wait
Nesbitt's last words stuck in my brain; 'if nothing is done, at best, Ken is going to suffer a stroke, at worst, he is going to die.'
State 'induced Matiba stroke'
Ken's relationship with Anne Jones (born Sybil Jones) began in 1980, although the two had known each other as acquaintances for many years.
Ken Dodd's weird and wonderful love life as he dies aged 90; The comedy legend married his long-term partner Anne Jones just three days before his death
Ken died on January 15 after battling Alzheimer's Disease.
'He drove a big tractor to plough up big timber'
His dad worked for an aircraft manufacturer and Ken soon developed a love for planes.
One of The Few... who gave Wills a ticking off; Battle of Britain hero Ken dies at 99
And because the body tweaks are compared against the original Ken silhouette, these changes are most noticeable when the dolls are standing next to each other.
Barbie's Ken now also comes in new colours and shapes
Ken has splashed out PS12,000 to buy the same Red and White bus, which is now kept in Barry, after discovering it had been restored by a transport enthusiast.
Husband's romantic gift is just the ticket
For the next few weeks Ken made the same 60-mile journey on the Red and White Route One bus, which cost two shillings and sixpence.
Hubby's gift of bliss - the bus where they first met
CORRIE favourite Ken Barlow will stun viewers by jumping into bed with his new love interest.
KEN'S IN LOVE AGAIN
FAN BLOG Aston Villa blogger COLIN ABBOTT pays tribute to former Villa player Ken Barrett who died this week.
RIP Ken, the man woken up by police and told'you're in!'
LIVERPOOL legend Ian Rush has paid tribute to Sunday Mirror reporter Ken Gorman, who died of a heart attack last week.
Rush: I will really miss my pal Ken; TRIBUTE