a seemingly innocuous phrase often but not always used to subtly introduce disagreement or skepticism without appearing combative, as in: “Help me understand why you think that’s the right move”; has the strong implication that the recipient’s point of view is unconvincing to the user of this statement; generally stated by an individual of higher rank to a subordinate, the latter of which will then be responsible for providing further information to the interlocutor’s satisfaction; “help me understand” can be the coup de grâce if someone is already flailing in attempts to justify his or her position