de klok hebben horen luiden maar niet weten waar de klepel hangt

Dutch edit

Etymology edit

Literally “to have heard the clock strike but not know where the clapper hangs”.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /də ˈklɔk ɦɛ.bə(n) ɦoː.rə(n) ˈlœy̯.də(n) maːr nit ˈʋeː.tə(n) ʋaːr də ˈkleː.pəl ɦɑŋt/

Verb edit

de klok hebben horen luiden maar niet weten waar de klepel hangt

  1. (idiomatic, intransitive) to think one has an understanding of something, but fail to grasp the full story, the real essence or meaning

Usage notes edit

Often used with wel included in the first clause.

Inflection edit