idioms using “know”

Know the ropes

To have prior experience or knowledge

“Though Kenichi-san has only been here three days, he already knows the ropes.” Note: a sailing term; to know how work the ropes on a sailboat

Know which way the wind blows

To understand the reality of a situation

“Takafumi-san won’t complain about the heavier workload; she knows which way the wind blows.”

Know up from down (know the difference between up and down)

To have common sense

“The new shipping assistant doesn’t seem to know up from down.”

In the know

To have privileged or secret information

“Those in the know were selling their company stock two weeks before the bankruptcy was reported in the news.”

Know-it-all

A person who thinks he or she knows everything

“Takeda-san would be more popular if he weren’t such a know-it-all.”