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

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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]