Hey there, ever heard someone say “quite why” and wondered what it really means? It’s a common phrase, but its meaning is super interesting.
Think of “quite why” as a way of saying, “I understand what happened, but I don’t fully grasp the reason behind it.” It’s about expressing a genuine lack of understanding about the ‘why’.
For example, imagine your coworker suddenly started decorating their desk with flamingos. You might say, “I don’t know quite why Sarah decided to put flamingos all over her desk.” You see the flamingos, but the reason? That’s the mystery!
Or, if a strong sports team unexpectedly loses, someone might comment, “Quite why they lost today, after such a winning streak, is baffling.” They know the outcome, but the underlying cause remains unclear.
So, “quite why” emphasizes that the reason or explanation for something isn’t clear, even if the event itself is. It’s a way to highlight that unanswered “why.”