see into a millstone

present singular third person sees into a millstone · participle present seeing into a millstone · past saw into a millstone · participle past seen into a millstone · alternative see through a millstone

1. archaiccolloquialidiomaticTo understand a complex matter.

   "Why, mother, I should have thought you could see into a millstone as far as most people, and yet you can't see to the bottom of a foolish girl's heart."

   1872, Mary Anne Hardy, A Woman's Triumph, volume 1, page 218

   1 more example

   "Why, look'ee, Madam, if you must needs provoke me, I'll tell you a piece of my mind; you must know, I can see as far into a millstone as another man; and so, if you thought for to fob me off with another one of your smirking French puppies for a son-in-law, why you'll find yourself in a hobble, that's all."

   1778, Frances Burney, Evelina, or: a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, Volume 1/Letter XXV