all at sea

all at sea

Puzzled, perplexed, or completely confused (about a subject or some task at hand). I tried to do well in this class, but I've been all at sea since we started.
See also: all, sea
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

all at sea

BRITISH or

at sea

COMMON If someone is all at sea or is at sea, they are very confused by a situation and do not understand it. While he may be all at sea on the economy, his changes have brought the West real and lasting political benefits. This was a massive success for a party that, two years previously, was all at sea. Note: The reference here is to a ship or a boat that has got lost.
See also: all, sea
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

all, completely, etc. at ˈsea

confused; not organized: We’re still completely at sea trying to understand the new regulations.
See also: sea
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at sea, to be/all

To be bewildered, to have lost one’s way. Presumably it reflects the idea of literally having lost one’s bearings while at sea. It was so used by Dickens and other nineteenth-century writers.
See also: all
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • all, completely, etc. at sea
  • at sea, to be/all
  • completely
  • sea
  • at sea
  • be at sea
  • at sea about (something)
  • put (out) to sea
  • mutiny
  • mutiny against