clear as mud
Sarcastically describing confusion
Clear as mud is an ironic way of saying something is not clear at all—confusing, murky, or impossible to understand.
The phrase works by contradicting itself: mud is opaque, so calling an explanation "clear as mud" means it clarified nothing: He tried to explain the tax code, but it was clear as mud.
Causing mental uncertainty
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- incomprehensibleImpossible to understand
- unintelligibleImpossible to understand
perplexing · puzzling · cryptic · enigmatic · opaque · obscure · inscrutable · convoluted
Dark and unclear
- turbidClouded by particles
- cloudyObscured by atmosphere
- opaqueImpassable to light
- siltyContaining fine earth deposits
thick · foggy · soupy · dirty · polluted · sludgy · mucky · grimy
Unclear, ill-defined
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- uncertainNot firmly known
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
nebulous · imprecise · noncommittal · evasive · hazy · fuzzy · wishy-washy · inconclusive
confusing
Causing mental uncertainty
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- incomprehensibleImpossible to understand
unintelligible · perplexing · puzzling · cryptic · enigmatic · opaque · obscure · inscrutable · convoluted · muddled
murky
Dark and unclear
silty · thick · foggy · soupy · dirty · polluted · sludgy · mucky · grimy · brackish
vague
Unclear, ill-defined
indefinite · nebulous · imprecise · noncommittal · evasive · hazy · fuzzy · wishy-washy · inconclusive · indeterminate
clear as mudcrystal clear
Entirely unambiguous, perfectly understood
clear as crystal · clear as a bell · clear as day · plain as day · transparent
clear, mud, muddy, clearly, unclear, clarity, cleared, clarify, clearing