damned if I know

interjection

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see damned, if, I, know.

Meanings

interjection

alternative contraction damfino

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see damned, if, I, know.
  2. Used in response to a question in which the target person absolutely does not know the answer.

    Synonyms: hell if I know

Synonyms & antonyms

interjectionUsed in response to a question in which the target person absolutely does not know the answer.

Origin

Ellipsis of I'll be damned if I know, alluding to the certainty and affirmation that the one making the statement does not know.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

damned if I know. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/damned%20if%20I%20know

MLA

“damned if I know.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/damned%20if%20I%20know. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “damned if I know,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/damned%20if%20I%20know.

Source: damned if I know on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.