recognize

How will I recognize you?

What should I look for to identify you when we meet for the first time? A: "OK, so I'll meet you at the train station at 3. How will I recognize you?" B: "Well, I have red hair, and I'll be wearing a purple dress."
See also: how, recognize, will

recognize (someone or something) as (someone or something)

1. To remember or identify someone or something as being a certain person or thing one has previously perceived. I recognized her as the woman who had processed my claim in the bank. I didn't recognize it as anything I'd heard before.
2. To show acceptance or acknowledgement of someone or something as having a particular role, status, or position. The government still refuses to recognize the region as a separate, independent region. We will never recognize you as our leader.
See also: recognize

recognize (someone or something) by (something)

To be able to identify or remember someone or something because of some distinguishing trait, characteristic, behavior, etc. I was able to recognize him by the unmistakable mark on the right side of his face. You should be able to recognize their house by the large Italian flag they always have hanging from their front porch.
See also: by, recognize

recognize (someone or something) for (something)

1. To be able to identify or remember someone or something as being a certain kind of person or thing. I recognized him for a petty conman the moment he tried talking me into that ridiculous scheme. If you were smart, you'd recognize this for the amazing deal that it is.
2. To honor, praise, or acknowledge someone or something for some deed or achievement. They are recognizing Ken for his years of service to the company. The government is recognizing the company for its important environmental work.
See also: recognize

recognize (someone or something) for what (someone or something) is

To be able to perceive and understand the true nature of someone or something. She seems committed to thinking of him as some misunderstood outcast, instead of just recognizing him for what he is—a petty thug. You need to recognize the situation for what it is and start putting things in place to deal with it.
See also: recognize, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

How will I recognize you?

 and How will I know you?
a question asked by one of two people who have agreed to meet for the first time in a large busy place. Tom: Okay, I'll meet you at the west door of the station. Mary: Fine. How will I recognize you? Tom: I'll be wearing dark glasses. Bill: I'll meet you at six. How will I recognize you? Mary: I'll be carrying a brown umbrella.
See also: how, recognize, will

recognize someone as someone or something

to accept and acknowledge someone to be someone; to accept and acknowledge something to be something. Mary didn't recognize the lawyer as her legal representative. Lizzy didn't recognize the car as her car.
See also: recognize

recognize someone or something by something

to know someone or something by some distinguishing sign. You will be able to recognize me by my long mustache. Mary recognized her car by the ribbon tied to the antenna.
See also: by, recognize

recognize someone or something for something

 
1. to identify someone or something as something. I recognized the deal for a scam as soon as I heard about it. Anyone could recognize Max for a common thief.
2. to show appreciation to someone or something for something. The organization recognized Laura for her excellent contributions to the philanthropy committee. The officers recognized the committee for its outstanding efforts.
See also: recognize

recognize something for what it is

 and recognize one for what one is
to see and understand exactly what someone or something is or represents. The disease represented a serious threat to all peoples, and Dr. Smith recognized it for what it was. I recognize you for what you are, you scoundrel!
See also: recognize, what
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • How will I recognize you?
  • How will I know you?
  • meet up
  • very
  • (I'm) (very) glad to meet you
  • glad to meet you
  • when two Sundays meet
  • go to meet (one's) maker
  • meet (one's) death
  • meet death
References in periodicals archive
An option's tax attributes determine whether a deductible temporary difference arises when the company recognizes the option-related compensation expense on its financial statements.
Options and the deferred tax bite: just when you thought it couldn't get any more complicated
Dell's leadership recognizes how critical it is to have people with these skills throughout the organization.
Business smarts: how do you find the clear thinkers who make the difference?
Under current accounting principles, the enterprise would recognize the tax benefit of the reported tax treatment and then record a loss contingency accrual for the reasonable estimate of the amount that would be incurred to resolve the matter.
TEI files comments on uncertain tax positions: September 12, 2005
Is it sheer revelation that allows Cleopas to recognize Jesus as the Messiah?
The road to Emmaus: changing expectations a narrative-critical study
Offering an explanation, a German research team reported in the July 31 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES that the two species have slightly dissimilar TLR9s and recognize different bacterial DNA sequences.
Biologists reveal the proteins that first see dangerous microbes
The basic fact to be acknowledged is that the Creator has implanted messages in the woman's body which He now intends her to recognize and understand.
Reason and religion in natural family planning
Rule (1984) contends that only unhealthy persons do not recognize and accept their limitations.
Insight into mild brain injury from and Adlerian perspective
Even conservative Christians might recognize in Shahar's lawsuit a straightforward punishment by the state for engaging in an exercise of religion.
Gay rites
When forming an assessment of the economy's structure, we have to recognize that the economic outcomes of human decisionmaking--spending, production, asset holdings, and prices--are measured imperfectly, adding noise and, in some instances, systematic biases to reported statistics.
Statement by Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, before the Commerce, Consumer, and Monetary Affairs Subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, U.S. House of Representatives, August 10, 1994
If a corporation purchases its stock back from a shareholder, and the transaction fits one of the above classifications, the shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the redemption under Sec.
Redemptions and disappearing basis
FCWC created the Green Seal Award to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses in Westchester and the surrounding metropolitan New York region for outstanding actions they have taken that improve the local or regional environment.
Firm recognized for using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel
Saying he would be remiss if he didn't recognize those who have made the opportunities possible, Mayer thanked "the Hispanic American men and women who have come before us, and more specifically, the men and women serving in the armed forces today.
American forces press service (Oct. 8, 2005): admiral earns executive excellence award from Hispanic Engineers
* Measure and recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Business combinations: requiring the acquisition method
In financial statements prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, employers should recognize a liability and expense for voluntary termination benefits (for example, early-retirement incentives) when the offer is accepted and the amount can be estimated.
Official releases: GASB No. 47
This passage, unique to Luke, does have shades of other stories echoing in it: the longer ending of Mark, Abraham and Sarah's inability to recognize the Lord, the disciples in the boat unclear of what or whom they may be seeing.
Third Sunday of Easter: April 10, 2005