Knowledge & Understanding - Understanding

Discover how English idioms like "light bulb moment" and "read between the lines" relate to understanding in English.

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to [know] a hawk from a handsaw [phrase]

to be able to show or recognize a difference between two individuals or things

Ex: When it comes to technology , my grandfather does n't know a hawk from a handsaw ; he 's completely lost .

open book [noun]

a person or a thing that is easy to understand or predict

Ex: The company 's financial records are an open book , available for anyone to review .

to [read] {sb} like a book [phrase]

to be able to easily understand what someone is thinking about or what their intention is

Ex: His poker face is terrible ; I can read him like a book and tell when he 's bluffing .

to discover or determine the underlying cause of something, particularly an issue

Ex: The therapist helped him explore his childhood traumas to get to the heart of his anxiety and understand its origin .

to [read] between the lines [phrase]

to get an understanding of what someone's true intention is or how they feel based on what they say or write

Ex: The editorial seemed neutral , but if you read between the lines , you can sense the writer 's criticism of the government .

head trip [noun]

an experience that is as very thrilling and memorable

Ex: The roller coaster ride was a total head trip , with twists and turns that left everyone exhilarated .

to frequently repeat something to someone so that they finally learn or memorize it

Ex:

quick off the mark [phrase]

reacting quickly or immediately to an opportunity or situation

Ex: In the world of technology , companies that are quick off the mark can gain a significant competitive edge

in words of one syllable [phrase]

in a tone or manner that can be understood by many

Ex: The teacher always explains difficult math concepts in words of one syllable , which helps the students a lot .

to suddenly realize the truth about a situation

Ex: Her research and discussions with experts helped the scales fall from her eyes , and she grasped the significance of climate change .

light bulb moment [phrase]

a sudden realization or understanding of something, often an idea or solution

Ex: During the meeting , he experienced a light bulb moment and suggested the perfect solution .

to [shed] light on {sth} [phrase]

to provide clarification, understanding, or insight into a topic, situation, or problem

Ex: The witness testimony shed light on the events leading up to the accident .