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What does the expression 'no idea' mean?



 
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What does the expression 'no idea' mean? #1 (permalink) Sat Nov 18, 2006 13:55 pm   What does the expression 'no idea' mean?
 

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #31 "Responses (4)", question 9

Mike: 'So what do you think is the answer?'
Jane: '.........'

(a) No idea.
(b) Not idea.
(c) Negative idea.
(d) Small idea.

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #31 "Responses (4)", answer 9

Mike: 'So what do you think is the answer?'
Jane: 'No idea.'

Correct answer: (a) No idea.
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No idea?

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No idea? #2 (permalink) Sat Nov 18, 2006 15:31 pm   No idea?
 

.
'No idea' = '[I have] no idea' = I do not know at all.
.
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No idea? #3 (permalink) Mon Jul 26, 2010 20:46 pm   No idea?
 

Why is it wrong "not idea"? Is it "no idea" an idiomatic expression?

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Francesco
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What does the expression 'no idea' mean? #4 (permalink) Mon Jul 26, 2010 20:52 pm   What does the expression 'no idea' mean?
 

Yes, it is idiomatic.
Just as Mister Micawber explained in the post above yours.
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So what do you think is the answer / the answer is? #5 (permalink) Thu May 12, 2011 9:26 am   So what do you think is the answer / the answer is?
 

Hi Alan! I really like your tests. They are becoming more and more difficult and challenging.

I've read in Response 4 (Lesson 26) a question that puzzled me. Here it is:

Mike: 'So what do you think is the answer?'
Jane: 'No idea.'

I thought that the correct form to ask this would be "So what do you think the answer is?". Actually, your sentence sounds better... Anyway, I recall a grammar rule about the position of verbs in questions, but I must have got it wrong!
Thanks...
Betty76
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What does the expression 'no idea' mean? #6 (permalink) Thu May 12, 2011 10:55 am   What does the expression 'no idea' mean?
 

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Hi,

Glad you like the tests. Usually the word order is as you have described it. You have to remember that this is a conversation exercise and in conversation speakers change the order sometimes. By putting 'is' in that position, the speaker is putting extra emphasis on the word as you can hear: What do you think is the answer?

Alan
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What does the expression 'no idea' mean? #7 (permalink) Sat May 14, 2011 13:46 pm   What does the expression 'no idea' mean?
 

Thanks a lot for your explanation and clearing my doubts!
Betty76
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