Does the expression “to be none the wiser” imply some sort of sarcasm or irony or whatnot?

- I’m not much the wiser.
- Here we’re talking about who’s got it and who hasn’t, and we’re none the wiser about what we’re talking about.
- If I sent another text and he didn’t answer, I’d be none the wiser.

Question

Does the expression “to be none the wiser” imply some sort of sarcasm or irony or whatnot?

- I’m not much the wiser.
- Here we’re talking about who’s got it and who hasn’t, and we’re none the wiser about what we’re talking about.
- If I sent another text and he didn’t answer, I’d be none the wiser.

Answer

It can be ironic or not, depending on context.

It can mean that someone hasn't learned from their experience, that someone hasn't put clues together to figure something out, or that some information has successfully been withheld from someone.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!