It's all Greek to me
/ɪts ɔːl ɡriːk tə miː/informalUK · US
What does “It's all Greek to me” mean?
It's all Greek to me means that you do not understand something at all.
An unfamiliar form or a page of equations might be “all Greek to you.” You're saying you cannot understand it, not that it is actually written in Greek.
The phrase often makes a small joke about your own confusion. “It's all Greek to me—could you explain?” is a natural way to ask for help.
When do people say it?
Use it informally when instructions, symbols or specialist language make no sense to you.
“I read the tax calculation twice, but it's all Greek to me.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The phrase compares something you cannot understand to a language you do not know. It does not need to involve any actual Greek.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “It's all Greek to me” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Read between the lines, Find hidden meaning in what is said
- Off the top of my head, From memory without checking facts
Last updated 2026-09-16