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
Verb edit
de klok hebben horen luiden maar niet weten waar de klepel hangt
- (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.