PhrasesHub

It's all Greek to me

    Definitions

      • incomprehensibility
        Expressing that something is difficult to understand or confusing

      • unfamiliarity
        Describing something that is unfamiliar or unfamiliar language or writing

    Examples of It's all Greek to me

    • During the professor's lecture on Ancient Greek philosophy, I found myself struggling to understand his complex concepts. I shook my head and whispered under my breath, "It's all Greek to me."

      This example shows how the idiom "It's all Greek to me" can be used to indicate that one is completely unfamiliar or unable to understand something. In this case, the speaker is admitting that they have no previous knowledge or background in Ancient Greek philosophy and thus find the professor's lecture incomprehensible. The use of the idiom adds a colloquial and relatable touch to the scenario, making it more engaging and real-life.

    • When the finance manager presented his complex financial report using unfamiliar terminology, the CEO shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's all Greek to me."

      This idiom is used to convey that the speaker does not understand what is being said, especially when the language or terminology used is unfamiliar or complex. It's often used to imply that the speaker is bewildered or feels like a foreigner in a particular situation or conversation. In the given example, the CEO is admitting that he doesn't comprehend the financial report presented by his finance manager because he's unfamiliar with the technical jargon used in the report.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "It's all Greek to me" is used to convey that something is difficult to understand or unfamiliar. It is often used when encountering complex or confusing information, or when faced with something that is completely foreign to the speaker. The intention is to express the speaker's inability to comprehend or make sense of the subject at hand.

    In everyday conversation, this idiom is used to convey a sense of confusion or bewilderment. It can be employed in various contexts, such as when discussing technical jargon, complicated instructions, or unfamiliar customs. The phrase serves as a way to acknowledge one's lack of understanding in a lighthearted manner.

    Origin of "It's all Greek to me"

    The origin of the idiom "It's all Greek to me" can be traced back to the works of William Shakespeare. The phrase first appeared in his play "Julius Caesar," where it was spoken by the character Casca. In the play, Casca uses the idiom to express his confusion and inability to comprehend Cicero's speech, which was delivered in Greek.

    The use of Greek to symbolize something incomprehensible or unfamiliar likely stems from the fact that Greek was an ancient and foreign language to many English speakers. The idiom has persisted over the centuries and continues to be used in modern English to convey the idea of something being difficult to understand or unfamiliar.