boggle

boggle (one's)/the mind

To thoroughly overwhelm, confuse, or surprise one. The show of support from everyone just boggled my mind. The plot of that move totally boggled my mind—did you understand it?
See also: boggle, mind

boggle at (something)

To gape or gawk at something; to struggle to accept or understand something. I boggled at the very generous salary offer and hoped it wasn't an error. When my wife surprised me with a new car, I could only boggle at it in our driveway—I couldn't even speak!
See also: boggle

it boggles the mind

The current situation, or the thing just discussed, is difficult or impossible to comprehend, often because it is considered ridiculous or stupid. How is it possible that he got lost on his way home yet again? It boggles the mind.
See also: boggle, mind

the mind boggles

The current situation, or the thing just discussed, is difficult or impossible to comprehend. How is it possible that he got lost on his way home yet again? The mind boggles.
See also: boggle, mind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

boggle at something

to be amazed at something, particularly something large or surprising. The audience boggled at the size of the loss. I boggled at the damage to my car.
See also: boggle

boggle someone's mind

to confuse someone; to overwhelm someone; to blow someone's mind. The immense size of the house boggles my mind. She said that his arrogance boggled her mind.
See also: boggle, mind
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

boggle the mind

Bewilder or astonish with complexity, novelty, or the like, as in The very magnitude of the Milky Way boggles the mind. The source of this usage is unclear, as the verb to boggle has several other seemingly unrelated meanings-to shy away, to hesitate, to bungle. [Second half of 1900s]
See also: boggle, mind
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the mind boggles

INFORMAL
COMMON You say the mind boggles when you find something difficult to imagine or understand because it is so surprising, strange, or complicated. With technology like this, the mind boggles at what geography classes will be like in the not-too-distant future. The mind boggles to think what they could eventually achieve. Note: You can also say that something boggles the mind or that it boggles your mind with the same meaning. Such statements boggle the mind. Talk about amazing coincidences — this one absolutely boggled my mind. Note: You can also describe something very surprising, strange, or complicated as mind-boggling. The mind-boggling 2,100-page timetable comes complete with a 40-page supplement. The range of products on offer is simply mind-boggling. Note: The word `boggle' is probably derived from the word `bogle', which is an old-fashioned word for an evil spirit or `bogey', as in `bogey man'.
See also: boggle, mind
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the mind ˈboggles (at something)

,

it boggles the ˈmind

(informal) you find it difficult to imagine something because it is so surprising, strange or complicated: The mind boggles at the thought of a boxer dressed up as a fairy. The vastness of space really boggles the mind. ▶ ˈmind-boggling adj.: Distances in space are mind-boggling.
See also: boggle, mind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • boggle (one's)/the mind
  • boggle mind
  • boggle the mind
  • make mind up
  • make up (one's) mind
  • make up mind
  • make up one's mind
  • make up your mind
  • Make your mind up
  • It blows my mind!
References in periodicals archive
a) 1 boggle 5 grumbeks, b) 1 boggle 3 grumbeks, c) 2 boggles 1 grumbek, d) 6 grumbeks 8.
The Box: Ten teasers to get your brain into gear
3 Each: 1x Kurio 10S tablet, 1x Transformers, 1x My Little Pony, 1x Littlest Pet Shop, 1x Nerf ,1x Play-Doh, 1x Monopoly, 1x Guess Who?, 1x Trivial Pursuit, 1x Cluedo, 1x Battleship, 1x Boggle Slam and 1x Pictureka Shuffle cards.
WIN 12 SHUFFLETM CARD GAMES PLUS A KURIO 10S; ALL PRIZES DELIVERED IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
So when John forgets to feed the Boggle, he is breaking one of the key rules he has been given.
ARC: The Boggle
Thus, the above Boggle board contains RAT, DIM, and STARE, bur does not contain BASS or INTEREST.
Problem solving strategies in boggle-like games
PERILOUS CROSSING The two ravines which guard the feared Boggle Hole of Bellingham.
Treacherous hole 'The Boggle' is a tough one to nail; This is the first of a monthly series - Great Golf Holes of the North - written by Norman Harris, one of the all-time greats of sports journalism. A 24-handicapper, Harris' fascination with the sport is evident in this vivid description of what it's like to tackle Bellingham's 18th, illustrated by the photographic skills of his fellow Allendale member, Robin Down
As much as I cherish our lonely moments together, soundtracked by the clatter of Boggle dice and measured out in the inaudible whisper of grains slipping gentle as a breath through the chambers of the one-minute sandglass we use to time the game, the time has come to take our relationship to the next level.
modern morals; An alternative look at 21st Century life
The Twiggles and Boggles will be hosting the three-day event and the inhabitants of BeWILDerwood, in Norfolk, are looking forward to the fun, laughter, games and dancing which are being planned.
Invitation to a birthday party in magical woods
Chicago restaurant worker Kim made American TV star David Letterman boggle when she appeared on his chat show last week.
Kim gets her eyes out for the lads!
The 12 Shuffle family favourites boast a host of famous brands including Transformers, My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, Nerf, Play-Doh, Monopoly, Guess Who?, Trivial Pursuit, Cluedo, Battleship, Boggle Slam and Pictureka.
WIN a Kurio 10S tablet worth; We love COMPETITIONS
The lives of our various protagonists boggle the mind with their limitless wealth and privilege, but these Upper East Siders continue to have plenty of skeletons in their spacious closets.
Von Ziegesar, Cecily. Because I'm worth it; a Gossip Girl novel
As we head home, a tired and happy William is convinced he spotted a Boggle. And, you know what?
BEWITCHED IN BEWILDERWOOD
Black Betty - after the song - and Boggle Eyes, self-explanatory really.
A fishy tale
And about his near-pounds 6m move, he added: "The fee makes my mind boggle but the manager wanted me and Everton were willing to do business.
Football: MOVING HERE HAS MADE MY MIND BOGGLE SAYS McFADDEN; BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAAGUE
- Boggles - Musings - Rants - Macksims is a collection of didactic and intellectually engaging essays.
California Author Releases New Book of Boggles, Musing, Rants, and Macksims