can't seem to



can't seem to

Apparently unable to or incapable of doing something. I've been over these figures three times, but I just can't seem to get them to add up. He couldn't seem to figure out how to work the machine.
See also: seem

can't seem to

Be apparently unable to, as in No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to concentrate on this book. This phrase gives added emphasis to a negative statement, as in the example. [Late 1800s]
See also: seem

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jimenohee-ME-noSpanish (Rare)
Ashken['æʃkən]
Valeriavah-LE-ryah (Italian), bah-LE-ryah (Spanish)Italian, Spanish, Romanian, German, Ancient Roman
Elpidius-Late Greek (Latinized)
Gibbons['gibənz]
DonnaDAHN-əEnglish