not have a clue

Idioms

Have no idea or inkling about something, as in Jane doesn't have a clue as to why John won't call her, or Do you know what's wrong with the boiler?—No, I haven't a clue. This usage was first recorded in 1928.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

not have a clue

I’m convinced Meta did not have a clue as to what they had in their hands, what they were creating.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

"How could I know you and not have a clue?" she pleads.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

It'd be silly to go through life and not have a clue about that guy, 'cause he's just one of those people.

From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2024

“Eric Hovde does not have a clue what he’s talking about,” she said on MSNBC.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2024

This person does not have a clue about me.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023