These expressions are used to convey bewilderment or puzzlement. Explore 20 idioms and phrasal verbs that express confusion.

Confusion Expressions

1. Lose the plot
   Meaning: Become confused or disoriented
   Example: She lost the plot halfway through the presentation.
2. In a fog
   Meaning: Confused or unable to think clearly
   Example: He was in a fog after the accident.
3. Go around in circles
   Meaning: Discuss something without making progress
   Example: The meeting went around in circles for hours.
4. Throw off balance
   Meaning: Confuse or bewilder
   Example: His unexpected question threw her off balance.
5. Not make head or tail of
   Meaning: Fail to understand
   Example: I can’t make head or tail of this report.
6. Baffle someone
   Meaning: Confuse or perplex
   Example: The new software update baffled everyone.
7. Muddle through
   Meaning: Proceed despite confusion or lack of knowledge
   Example: He managed to muddle through the presentation.
8. Up in the air
   Meaning: Unresolved or uncertain
   Example: Plans for the event are still up in the air.
9. Mixed up
   Meaning: Confused or bewildered
   Example: She was all mixed up about the dates.
10. Throw for a loop
    Meaning: Surprise or confuse greatly
    Example: The sudden change in schedule threw her for a loop.
11. Go blank
    Meaning: Forget or be unable to think clearly
    Example: He went blank during the job interview.
12. All over the place
    Meaning: Inconsistent or confused
    Example: His thoughts were all over the place.
13. Out of one’s depth
    Meaning: In a situation beyond understanding
    Example: He felt out of his depth in the advanced math class.
14. Over one’s head
    Meaning: Too difficult to understand
    Example: The technical jargon went over my head.
15. Beat around the bush
    Meaning: Avoid the main point
    Example: Stop beating around the bush and answer directly.
16. Out to lunch
    Meaning: Absent-minded or inattentive
    Example: He seemed out to lunch during the meeting.
17. Puzzle over
    Meaning: Think hard about something puzzling
    Example: She puzzled over the cryptic message.
18. Out of the loop
    Meaning: Uninformed or unaware of recent information
    Example: He felt out of the loop regarding the new project.
19. Not add up
    Meaning: Not make sense
    Example: His story just doesn’t add up.
20. At a loss
    Meaning: Unsure or confused
    Example: I’m at a loss about what to do next.