scratched one's head
Gestured while perplexed
To scratch one's head is to express puzzlement or confusion, from the physical gesture of rubbing the scalp while thinking: The proposal left investors scratching their heads.
The phrase almost always appears figuratively—actual scalp-scratching rarely warrants mention.
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- hairFibrous scalp covering
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- lost in thoughtDeeply mentally preoccupied
deep in thought · unsure · bewildered · flummoxed · questioning · hesitant · doubtful · mystified · gesture · body language · rub · forehead · puzzled · confusion · scalp · fingers · brow · furrowed brow
cognitive state
scratched one's headgot it
Acknowledgment of comprehension
saw the light · comprehended · clicked · connected the dots · put two and two together
scratch, scratched, scratches, scratching, scratcher, scratchy, headed, heading, header