know
- as we know it as is familiar or customary in the present.
2001DJ It's the real deal with live musicians playing some wonderful jazz over the kick drum, which is the only element that has anything to do with house music as we know it.
be in the know be aware of something known only to a few people.
before you know where you are (or before you know it) with baffling speed. informal
for all someone knows used to express the limited scope or extent of someone's information.
know a thing or two be experienced or shrewd.
2013Scary Duck Hackett-a war hero who rose to become Deputy Chief of General Staff-can be safely assumed to know a thing or two about military and political strategy.
know all the answers: seeanswer.
know something backwards: seebackwards.
know better than be wise, well-informed, or well-mannered enough to avoid doing something specified.
1989Anne FineGoggle-Eyes Inspector McGee knows better than to tangle with Beth's granny.
know (or not know) from nothing be totally ignorant, either generally or concerning something in particular. North American informal
know how many beans make five: seebean.
know little (or nothing) and care less be completely unconcerned about something; be studiously ignorant.
know no bounds: seebound.
know on which side your bread is buttered: seebread.
know someone in the biblical sense have sex with someone. informal, humorous
☞ Know in this sense is an old use which is particularly associated with language in the Bible, e.g. Genesis 4:1: And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain'.
know someone or something inside out: seeinside out.
know something like the back of your hand: seeback.
know the ropes be thoroughly acquainted with the way in which something is done. informal
☞ In its literal sense, this expression goes back to the days of sailing ships, when skill in handling ropes was essential for any sailor. The idiom is found in various forms, from the mid 19th century onwards, e.g. learn or understand the ropes and show or teach someone the ropes
know the score be aware of what is going on; be aware of the essential facts about a situation. informal
2012Keeping Stock Taylor wants to appear in calm control, in demeanour and words, as if he's been there, done that, knows the score.
know the time of day be well informed about something.
know too much be in possession of too much important information to be allowed to live or continue as normal.
know what's what have enough knowledge or experience. informal
1992More I know what's what at work, so no-one's going to trip me up.
know what you are about: seeabout.
know what you like have fixed or definite tastes, without necessarily having the knowledge or informed opinion to support them.
2002Sunday Herald We adjourn to Starbucks where…I know what I like (grand skinny latte, £2.15).
know where the bodies are buried: seebody.
know where you are (or stand) with know how you are regarded by someone; know the opinions of someone on an issue.
1991Julian BarnesTalking It Over Good old Stuart, he's so reliable. You know where you are with Stuart.
know who's who be aware of the identity and status of each person.
know your onions: seeonion.
know your own mind be decisive and certain.
not know beans about: seebean.
not know you are born: seeborn
not know someone from Adam: seeAdam.
not know if you are coming or going: seecoming.
not know shit (from Shinola): seeshit.
not know what hit you be hit, killed, or attacked by someone or something without warning.
not know what to do with yourself be at a loss as to what to do, typically through boredom, embarrassment, or anxiety.
not know where (or which way) to look feel great embarrassment and not know how to react.
not know your arse from your elbow: seearse.
not want to know refuse to react or take notice. informal
the right hand doesn't know what the left hand's doing: seehand.
what do you know (about that)? used as an expression of surprise. informal, chiefly North American
you never know you can never be certain; it's impossible to predict. informal