{not} (even|) [know] the meaning of the word
1
to lack knowledge or understanding of a particular concept or term
This idiom "not know the meaning of the word "likely stems from the idea that when someone is completely unfamiliar with a concept or word, it might as well be in a foreign language or dialect. This expression is used when people want to highlight that someone is so unfamiliar with a topic that they cannot even comprehend basic terms associated with it.
- When it comes to modern technology, my grandparents don't know the meaning of the word.
- It's called mutual respect mate.You don't even know the meaning of the word.
- I had to laugh when he didn’t know the meaning of the word, even though he claimed to be an expert.
- She said she’d studied the topic, but she didn’t know the meaning of the word.
- He didn’t even know the meaning of the word when I asked him to explain it.