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Not Know Which End Is Up

What Does "Not Know Which End Is Up" Mean?

homeidiomsNot Know Which End Is Up
"Not know which end is up" is an English idiom. It is an expression indicating confusion or a lack of understanding about a situation or task.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "not know which end is up" used in a sentence:
  • After the complex instructions, he felt like he didn't know which end was up.
  • They entered the unfamiliar city and got lost; they didn't know which end was up.
  • Starting the new job was overwhelming, and she felt like she didn't know which end was up.
meaning for not know which end is up

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Not Know Which End Is Up" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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