He is so confused that he does not know which end is up.
know which end is up
idiomTo possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.
Origin
disputed originFrom the common marking this end up on parcels to guide proper transport.
After working three double shifts in a row, I barely know which end is up.
The new manager arrived with such radical ideas that the staff struggled to know which end was up during the transition.
- 01
arse end of nowhere
A very remote place.
- 02
as you know
as it is already known.
- 03
big end of town
The top end of town.
- 04
bitter end
The end of a long and difficult process.
- 05
business end
The part of an object (chiefly a tool or weapon) that is physically used for its operation, rather than some other part such as the part by which it is held.
- 06
come to a sticky end
To die unpleasantly due to one's actions.
- 07
come to an end
To stop; to cease; to no longer continue.
- 08
dead end
A street or path or tunnel that goes nowhere or is blocked on one end.