[know] a hawk from a handsaw
1
to be able to show or recognize a difference between two individuals or things
The idiom "know a hawk from a handsaw" comes from Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." In the play, Hamlet uses this phrase to express his doubt and frustration about being able to tell things apart or make accurate judgments. The phrase asks if it is possible to distinguish between similar objects, like a hawk and a handsaw. It's not clear where the phrase came from before Shakespeare used it, but it has become well-known and still used today frequently. It is often employed when discussing situations where distinguishing between similar or seemingly identical things is challenging or confusing. It is often employed when discussing situations where distinguishing between similar or seemingly identical things is challenging or confusing.
- She can't even tell a hawk from a handsaw, so I wouldn't trust her to make important decisions.
- It's like he doesn't know a hawk from a handsaw when it comes to choosing the right investments.
- When it comes to technology, my grandfather doesn't know a hawk from a handsaw; he's completely lost.
- I asked him to identify the different bird species, but he looked at them all the same.He truly doesn't know a hawk from a handsaw.
- You'd think after all these years, he'd know a hawk from a handsaw, but he still can't operate a simple computer.