تعریف و معنای "[make] head or tail (out|) of {sb/sth}"

What is the origin of the idiom "make head or tail of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "make head or tail of something" likely originated from the idea of trying to decipher or understand a complex situation or information. In this expression, "head" and "tail" symbolize the two ends of something, and trying to make sense of it implies the effort to grasp the entirety of a situation. This expression is used when someone is struggling to comprehend or interpret a confusing or unclear situation, piece of information, or problem. It implies a sense of confusion or frustration in trying to understand the matter at hand. It suggests that the situation is so puzzling that one cannot even determine where to start in understanding it.