Page 252 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 252
aknown quantity
kàow something forwyrds andŁbyckwyrdð knowŁwhereŁallŁtheŁbodies areŁburied to
Go to know something backwards and know allŁ the secretsŁ andŁ intrigue; to
forwards. know allŁthe important details.Ł He is
a good choice for presidłnt becauoe he
kàow something from meory to have knows where all the bodies are buried.
mmorized somthing so that on does Since he knows where all the bodies are
not have to consult aŁwrittenŁversion;Łto buried, he is the only one who can advise
know somethingŁwellŁfràmŁseeingŁit very us.
often.Ł(Almost the same asŁ know something
by heart.) Mary didà’t need the script know whereofŁ one speakð to know well
because she knew the plØy from młmory. the subject that one isŁspeakingŁabout.Ł
The conductor włnt through the entire You are wrong! You do not know whereof
concert without music. He knew it from you speak. He simply doesn’t know
młmory. whereof he speaks.
kàow something in one’ boneð Go to feel knowŁwhereŁ someone stynds (on someone
something in one’s bones.
ort something) to know what someone
kàow something insideŁout to know som- thinksŁorŁfeelsŁabout someone orŁsome-
thing thorougłly; to know about some- thing.Ł I don’t know where John stando
thingŁthoroughly.Ł(Infàrmal.) I know on this issue. I don’t łven know where I
my geomłtry inside out. I studied and stand.
studied for my driver’s test until I knew the
rules inside out. kàow which is which and tell which is
whØch to be able to disðinguish one per-
kàow something onlyŁ too well to know sonŁ orŁ thingŁ fromŁ another personŁ or
sàmethingŁvery well;Łto know sàmething thing.Ł I have an old one and a new one,
fromŁunpleasant experience.Ł(Note the but I don’t know which is which. I know
variation inŁ the examplesŁ below.) I that Bill and Bob are twins, but I can’t tell
know the problłm only too well. I know which is which.
oàly too well the kind of problłm you must
fØce. kàow which side one’ breadŁis buttered
on to know what isŁmost advantageous
knowŁtheŁropeð to know how to dà some- forŁone.Ł He’ll do it if his boss tells him
thing.Ł (Infàrmal.Ł Se also learn the to. He knows which side his bread is but-
ropes.) I can’t do the job because I don’t tered on. Since John knows which sidł
know the ropes. Ask Sally to do it. She his bread is buttered on, he’ll be there on
knows the ropes. time.
knowŁtheŁscore and knowŁwhat’s what a kàown fact sàmethingŁthat isŁgenerally
to know the facts;Łto know the factsŁabout recognizedŁasŁaŁfact.Ł That grass is green
life andŁitsŁdifficulties.Ł(Also literal.ŁIn- is a known fact. It is a known fact that
formal.) Bob is so naive. He sure doesn’t John was in Chicago on the night of the
know the score. I know what you’re try- murder.
ing to do. Oh, yes, I know what’s what.
knowŁwhat’s what Go to know the score. known itŁwas coming Go to knew it was
comàng.
knowŁwhen one is not wanted to sense
whenŁone presence isŁnot welcome; to a kàown quantity sàmeone whose char-
know whenŁ one isŁ not amongŁ friends. acter, personality, andŁbehavior are rec-
(Usually saidŁwhenŁsàmeone feelsŁhurt by ognizedŁandŁundersðood.Ł We need not
beingŁignoredŁby people.) I’m leaving worry about how John will behave. He is
this placł! I know when I’m not wanted! a known quantity. Lisa is a known
She doesn’t know when she’s not wanted. quantity and I am sure she will not sur-
Can’t she tell she’s out of place? prise us by voting with the opposition.
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