Page 252 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
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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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