not have a clue

1. To not have even a remote grasp or understanding of something; to be hopelessly confused or ignorant about something. You'd expect the average citizen to struggle to explain the workings of government, but now it seems like even most politicians don't have a clue! You don't have a clue about how to talk to people, do you? When it comes to trigonometry, I just don't have a clue.

2. To be completely unaware of something. A: "Do you think Paul suspects that we're having a surprise party for him? B: "No, he doesn't have a clue!"

See also: clue, have, not

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have a clue (about something)

Fig. to know anything about something; to have even a hint about someone or something. (Usually negative.) I don't have a clue about where to start looking for Jim. Why do you think I have a clue about Tom's disappearance?

not have a clue

Have no idea or inkling about something, as in Jane doesn't have a clue as to why John won't call her, or Do you know what's wrong with the boiler?-No, I haven't a clue. This usage was first recorded in 1928.

See also: clue, have, not

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

not have a clue

INFORMAL

COMMON If you do not have a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it. When I met my wife she didn't have any clue about cricket. Nobody has a clue where he's gone. I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to be doing.

See also: clue, have, not

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

not have a clue

know nothing about something or about how to do something. informal

See also: clue, have, not

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

not have a ˈclue

(informal)
1 know nothing about something or about how to do something: ‘Who’s that woman over there?’ ‘I’m afraid I don’t have a clue.’ I haven’t a clue how to get there.
2 (disapproving) be stupid; lack skill or ability: It’s a waste of time trying to teach him anything: he hasn’t got a clue. ▶ ˈclueless adj. (informal, disapproving) very stupid; not able to understand or to do something: He’s completely clueless about computers.

See also: clue, have, not

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

(I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
a/the feel of (something)
a straw will show which way the wind blows
a crack at (someone or something)
all right
(you) wanna make something of it?
a fast talker
all for the best
a thing of the past
a slew of (something)

References in periodicals archive

"I did not have a clue what I wanted to do as a career, so I joined Three A's Pertemps Training.

Fatherhood was the inspiration for Matt; Jobs & New Directions

词组	not have a clue
释义	not have a clue not have a clue 1. To not have even a remote grasp or understanding of something; to be hopelessly confused or ignorant about something. You'd expect the average citizen to struggle to explain the workings of government, but now it seems like even most politicians don't have a clue! You don't have a clue about how to talk to people, do you? When it comes to trigonometry, I just don't have a clue. 2. To be completely unaware of something. A: "Do you think Paul suspects that we're having a surprise party for him? B: "No, he doesn't have a clue!" See also: clue, have, not Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. have a clue (about something) Fig. to know anything about something; to have even a hint about someone or something. (Usually negative.) I don't have a clue about where to start looking for Jim. Why do you think I have a clue about Tom's disappearance? See also: clue, have McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. not have a clue Have no idea or inkling about something, as in Jane doesn't have a clue as to why John won't call her, or Do you know what's wrong with the boiler?-No, I haven't a clue. This usage was first recorded in 1928. See also: clue, have, not The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. not have a clue INFORMAL COMMON If you do not have a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it. When I met my wife she didn't have any clue about cricket. Nobody has a clue where he's gone. I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to be doing. See also: clue, have, not Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. not have a clue know nothing about something or about how to do something. informal See also: clue, have, not Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary not have a ˈclue (informal) 1 know nothing about something or about how to do something: ‘Who’s that woman over there?’ ‘I’m afraid I don’t have a clue.’ I haven’t a clue how to get there. 2 (disapproving) be stupid; lack skill or ability: It’s a waste of time trying to teach him anything: he hasn’t got a clue. ▶ ˈclueless adj. (informal, disapproving) very stupid; not able to understand or to do something: He’s completely clueless about computers. See also: clue, have, not Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you a/the feel of (something) a straw will show which way the wind blows a crack at (someone or something) all right (you) wanna make something of it? a fast talker all for the best a thing of the past a slew of (something) References in periodicals archive "I did not have a clue what I wanted to do as a career, so I joined Three A's Pertemps Training. Fatherhood was the inspiration for Matt; Jobs & New Directions
随便看	pain-in-the-rear pain in the rear painkiller paint paint a black picture (of someone or something) paint a (some kind of) picture of (something) paint a terrible, depressing, rosy, etc. picture paint black paint card painted painted cat painted with the same brush paint in painting paint on paint (one) black paint (oneself) into a corner paint oneself into a corner paint onto paint out paint over paint remover paint (someone or something) with the same brush paint (something) onto (something) paint something with a broad brush