know a hawk from a handsaw

know a hawk from a handsaw

To be able to tell two things apart. The phrase comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Of course I know which twin is which—I know a hawk from a handsaw, after all!
See also: hawk, know
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • know chalk from cheese
  • as we know it
  • know a trick or two
  • in the biblical sense
  • I know
  • Don’t I know it!
  • don't I know it
  • before you know where you are
  • by any chance
  • AFAIK