English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM
from: 'common knowledge' to: 'wise for their years'
- common knowledge
- Common knowledge is information that is well-known to everyone.
“The intern is Jack’s son – I thought that was common knowledge!”
- Common knowledge is information that is well-known to everyone.
- know better than to do something
- If you know better than to do something,
you are experienced or wise enough not to do it.
"You should know better than to go sailing in stormy weather."
- If you know better than to do something,
you are experienced or wise enough not to do it.
- know someone inside out
- If you know someone inside out, you know them very
well.
"Sue and Anne have been friends since childhood. They know each other inside out."
- If you know someone inside out, you know them very
well.
- know something like the back of your hand
- If you know something like the back of your hand,
you are very familiar with it or know it in detail.
"Of course I won't get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!"
- If you know something like the back of your hand,
you are very familiar with it or know it in detail.
- know the ropes
- Someone who knows the ropes is familiar with the way something is done
or knows how to do it.
“Charlie can fill in for Sam. He knows the ropes."
- Someone who knows the ropes is familiar with the way something is done
or knows how to do it.
- know the score
- If you know the score you are well-informed about a situation
and know what to expect.
“If Laura damages the car, her dad won't lend it to her again. She knows the score."
- If you know the score you are well-informed about a situation
and know what to expect.
- know which side your bread is buttered
- If you know where your interests lie or what will be to your advantage,
you know which side your bread is buttered.
“Paul never argues with his father-in-law because he knows which side his bread is buttered."
- If you know where your interests lie or what will be to your advantage,
you know which side your bread is buttered.
- know which way the wind is blowing
- If you know which way the wind is blowing, you know
how a situation is developing and can prepare for any changes
or potential problems.
"Before we decide, we need to know which way the wind blowing.”
- If you know which way the wind is blowing, you know
how a situation is developing and can prepare for any changes
or potential problems.
- know your onions
- Someone who knows their onions is very knowledgeable or well-informed about a particular subject.
"When it comes to the new tax reform, the new accountant really knows her onions."
- Someone who knows their onions is very knowledgeable or well-informed about a particular subject.
- know your own mind
- If you know your own mind, you know what you want
or like, and are capable of making a decision.
"I don't want to influence you. You're old enough to know your own mind."
- If you know your own mind, you know what you want
or like, and are capable of making a decision.
- knowledge is power
-
This expression means that the more knowledge you have, the better your chances are of being successful,
or the more control you will have over your future.
-
This expression means that the more knowledge you have, the better your chances are of being successful,
or the more control you will have over your future.
- read from the same page / be on the same page
- People who read from the same page or who
'are on the same page' share the same understanding
or knowledge about something, or have the same opinion as others in a group.
"We need to be reading from the same page before we talk to the boss."
- People who read from the same page or who
'are on the same page' share the same understanding
or knowledge about something, or have the same opinion as others in a group.
- sing from the same hymn book
- Similar in meaning to 'read from the same page'.
It means to think in the same manner, have the same opinion or say the same thing about something as other people.
- Similar in meaning to 'read from the same page'.
- street smart/street wise
- A person who is street-smart or streetwise has
enough experience and knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with
difficult or dangerous situations.
"The kids living in this area are all street-smart - they're in less danger than us."
- A person who is street-smart or streetwise has
enough experience and knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with
difficult or dangerous situations.
- tech savvy
- People who are tech savvy have sufficient technical
knowledge and skills to be comfortable using computers and other electronic devices.
"Many students are more tech-savvy than their teachers."
- People who are tech savvy have sufficient technical
knowledge and skills to be comfortable using computers and other electronic devices.
- (a) walking encyclopaedia
- This term refers to a person who is very knowledgeable about a lot of subjects.
"The origin of Halloween? Ask Jill - she's a walking encyclopaedia!"
- This term refers to a person who is very knowledgeable about a lot of subjects.
- get wise to something
- If you get wise to something,
you learn something that you were not aware of
before.
"The old man finally got wise to the fact that children were stealing apples from his garden."
- If you get wise to something,
you learn something that you were not aware of
before.
- wise for their years / wise beyond their years
- Someone who is wise for their years or wise beyond
their years has more knowledge and experience that most people at their age.
"She's still a child but she's wise beyond her years."
- Someone who is wise for their years or wise beyond
their years has more knowledge and experience that most people at their age.
Alphabetical lists: