have no clue

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   to not know or understand something at all

   Grammar: Often followed by 'about' or a question word: I have no clue about cars. / I have no clue where she went.

   Patterns

   • have no clue about something
   • have no clue what/where/why …
   • have no clue how to do something

   I have no clue where I left my keys—maybe in the kitchen?

   She has no clue about computers, so I help her with email.

   We had no clue that the store was closed on Sundays.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   to be completely unable to understand something because it is confusing or unreasonable

   Grammar: Used when something seems crazy or illogical: I have no clue what he's thinking.

   Patterns

   • have no clue what someone is doing
   • have no clue why …

   I have no clue why he quit such a good job.

   The teacher had no clue what the student was trying to say.

Common combinations

have absolutely no clue

I have absolutely no clue how to fix this printer.

have no clue about

He has no clue about fashion and wears the same shirt every day.

not have a clue

She doesn't have a clue what's going on in the meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

have no idea

This is slightly more neutral and can be used in more situations; 'have no clue' sounds a bit more informal and emphatic.

be clueless

This describes a person who generally doesn't understand things, while 'have no clue' is usually about one specific thing.

Word family

clueless adjective

meaning completely without knowledge or understanding

Commonly confused: have no clue or have no clues?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “have no clue”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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