and one knows it


• Said to emphasize that someone is well aware of a fact although they might pretend otherwise.

  ‘that's nonsense and you know it’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Oh my God, Rachael, that's not what I meant and you know it!’
  • ‘That's a lie and you know it!’
  • ‘They're breaking the goddamn law and they know it!’
before one knows where one is
informal

• With baffling speed.

  More example sentences

  • ‘But when you're young, time seems endless and before you know it years have sped by.’
  • ‘If they split up, he'll be on your doorstep before you know it.’
  • ‘Get in debt with your mortgage and before you know it, your nightmares will have spiralled out of control.’
  • ‘Then, before you know it, the pavilion seats were all sold out, and it was too late.’
  • ‘And waiting until you're a legal adult isn't so bad, you'll be one before you know it.’
  • ‘Sure, sometimes the days crawl by, but before you know it, two months will have breezed past in the blink of an eye.’
  • ‘By following these tips, you'll find your muscles will grow bigger and stronger before you know it.’
  • ‘A report from an expert consultant could well be £400 to £600, there are solicitors fees and medical costs and before you know where you are it's up to £1,000.’
  • ‘The school day flew by and before she knew it, Amy was walking home from the bus stop.’
  • ‘A week passed and before they knew it, it was time for Adam to leave.’
— as we know it


• As is familiar or customary in the present.

  ‘apocalyptic expectations, envisaging the end of the world as we know it’

  More example sentences

  • ‘We are witnessing the information revolution that will change the media as we know it.’
  • ‘Does the advent of downloading herald the demise of the album format as we know it - a tangible sequence of songs selected, ordered and packaged according to the intentions of the artist?’
  • ‘This level of remuneration did not result in the collapse of the book trade as we know it.’
  • ‘It's a fascinating, gritty look at the world as we know it.’
  • ‘If we do nothing, the world as we know it will grind to a halt.’
  • ‘For it is clear that should these ambitious plans come to fruition, then what emerges will be nothing like a hospital as we know it.’
  • ‘We would like to keep the fabric of the village together, but if these schemes go ahead it will spell the end of the village as we know it.’
  • ‘Without such pioneers putting their work into the public domain, the Internet as we know it would not exist.’
  • ‘If some radical predictions come true, the office as we know it could become something of a rarity in years to come.’
  • ‘We are just beginning to understand the legacy of pollution and toxic waste, just beginning to realize that, while the human race as we know it might be wiped out, life will resurface, life will adapt and change.’
be in the know


• Be aware of something known only to a few people.

  ‘he had a tip from a friend in the know: the horse was a cert’

  More example sentences

  • ‘In today's information-based society, there are few things more infuriating than not being in the know.’
  • ‘Well, I used to pride myself as being in the know but I have heard nothing about this idea.’
  • ‘Essentially, one needs to be in the know to make the most of Berlin's nightlife.’
  • ‘But you have to be in the know to have access to the best-kept secret in showbiz.’
  • ‘She had learned to appear as if she were in the know even if she was utterly lost.’
  • ‘But we don't really learn anything about how the fraud was committed, when it began, and who else was in the know apart from Mr Sullivan and Mr Myers.’
  • ‘I figured everyone else was in the know so I didn't want to come across as an idiot by having to ask.’
  • ‘Canadian fans have been in the know about this band for years, but it's time for us to learn how to share.’
  • ‘Speak to any number of cricketing pundits who claim to be in the know, and they will all maintain that it was Ian Chappell, and his team of the 1970s, who started the dreadful business of sledging.’
  • ‘For those of you not hip enough to be in the know, Nu Metal is the name of a new type of ‘extreme’ music that the kids are listening to these days.’
don't you know
informal, dated

• Used to emphasize what one has just said or is about to say.

  More example sentences

  • ‘I was, don't you know, a great motoring enthusiast in those days’
  • ‘Now Petey's a bishop himself, don't you know.’
  • ‘Used to be in the military myself, but it takes all kinds, don't you know?’
  • ‘Toronto-bashing is politically correct, don't you know, the Rest of Canada's national sport - second only to hockey - and the glue that keeps this country together.’
  • ‘Top it all off with a hat - either a raffia sunshade, a fedora, a trilby or even a Stetson - they're the new sunglasses, don't you know.’
  • ‘Humidity reeks havoc with ones hair, don't you know.’
don't I know it!
informal

• Used as an expression of rueful assent or agreement.

  More example sentences

  • ‘‘You know how kids tease other kids with unusual names.’ ‘Oh, don't I know it! Try having to grow up with the name Jasper!’’
  • ‘‘He's not the most forgiving person.’ Ryan laughed bitterly. ‘God, don't I know it.’’
be not to know
British

• Have no way of being aware of.

  ‘Sam wasn't to know it at the time, but Ruby would re-enter his life many years later’

  More example sentences

  • ‘In both cases the guns were not real, and not intended for criminal use, but the officers were not to know that.’
  • ‘She was not to know what leaving would do to my father.’
  • ‘Mr Newton was not to know that the builder on his doorstep had a string of convictions for deception and misleading customers.’
  • ‘However, the British were not to know just how weak he was.’
  • ‘In fact the seals and signature were forgeries, but Mr Catt was not to know that for many months.’
  • ‘As things transpired they wouldn't have made it to the last eight even had they beaten Donegal but they were not to know it at the time.’
  • ‘They were not to know that Friday would bring another day of dramatic action.’
  • ‘They were not to know that two years later, a similar fate would be visited upon them.’
  • ‘Although the public was not to know it until later, the invasion was due to take place on June 5 but just as with any other event in Britain the weather played a part.’
  • ‘He was not to know it at the time, but the petro-chemical industry was to be his future.’
for all someone knows


• Used to express the limited scope or extent of one's information.

  ‘she could be dead for all I know’

  More example sentences

  • ‘But for all Dirk knows, you could be out gallivanting.’
  • ‘In the refrigerator all she finds are some dried apples and celery and assorted condiments that could have been there since her last visit for all Sandra knows.’
  • ‘No-one asked her any questions, no-one searched her. She could have been a heroin mule or a gun smuggler for all anyone knew.’
  • ‘I have been allowed to appeal at the last minute, but not on a clearly defined basis - for all I know, they might just decide my appeal can't even be considered.’
  • ‘There are, apparently, other branches in Miami and London and, for all I know, there may soon be one in Glasgow.’
God knows


• 1Used to emphasize that one does not know something.

  ‘God knows what else they might find’

  More example sentences

  • ‘And heaven knows what the other tenants there must think.’
  • ‘And I really cannot be bothered to do any of the housework I've been putting off since, well, heaven knows when.’
  • ‘As for the houses which used to be on Clevelly Close, heaven knows how much they would be worth now, both in monetary terms and to the area's self-esteem.’
  • ‘The school only has one classroom, and it only has 10 desks in it, so heaven knows where the new kids are going to fit.’
  • ‘He lived on a diet of heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, LSD and heaven knows what else, washed down with industrial quantities of Jack Daniels.’
  • ‘It's been so cold that I have had to keep boiling the kettle, so heaven knows how large my next electricity bill is going to be.’
  • ‘But if it wasn't for Jilly heaven knows what would have happened to me.’
  • ‘If it's this bad now, heaven knows what kind of problems there will be when the Commonwealth Games begins and thousands of people will be coming into the area.’
  • ‘Being told that there were 80,000 people in the stadium and goodness knows how many millions watching across the world gave you a real sense of responsibility.’
  • ‘If I wasn't there, God knows what that guy would try to do to you!’

• 2Used to emphasize the truth of a statement.

  ‘goodness knows, I haven't been perfect’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Whatever you think of their relationship, and heaven knows it hasn't been an easy one, their love has endured.’
  • ‘‘If it was like that for me, heaven knows, it must have been worse for others’, Mr Cook said.’
  • ‘It is easy to be derisory about politics in Ireland, and, heaven knows, there is much to be derisory about.’
  • ‘There are online journals that are older than mine and, heaven knows, there are better ones.’
  • ‘Because, heaven knows, some folks are having kids for the wrong reasons.’
  • ‘There is no more dispiriting a sight for me than unfulfilled talent and goodness knows Scottish football is littered with players who underachieved.’
  • ‘I haven't read any of this year's shortlist, and goodness knows I've got enough books to read.’
  • ‘He's got great managerial experience, and goodness knows we need that within the intelligence community.’
  • ‘God knows we have few enough women in this industry as it is and adverts like this aren't going to help us any.’
  • ‘It's no use yelling at her to shut up. God knows I've tried.’
know best


• Have better knowledge or more appropriate skills.

  ‘a mother always knows best where her children are concerned’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The left have always believed that governments know best.’
  • ‘Thankfully, mums always know best and by the age of 13 Susie was gradually able to start playing sport again.’
  • ‘I was put on Prozac and the doc suggested counseling, which I never took - in retrospect maybe I should have but I thought I knew best, as always.’
  • ‘When you hear the phrase ‘the customer always knows best,’ do you let out a hollow laugh?’
  • ‘The parade of recent corporate scandals has further strained the notion that directors always know best.’
  • ‘It's not only patients who feel that the days when doctors always knew best are over.’
  • ‘IT is not always the case that the doctor knows best.’
  • ‘This philosophy proceeded on two false premises - it was better for children to be ‘seen and not heard’ and that father or mother - generally father - knew best.’
  • ‘Scottish Natural Heritage has come under fire for dictatorial, arrogant attitudes, ignoring the needs and wishes of landowners, and assuming it knows best.’
  • ‘On this occasion, however he seems to imply that he knows best.’
have been known to do something


• Have occasionally in the past done something.

  ‘the fans have been known to rain bottles, cans, and seats on players who displease them’

  More example sentences

  • ‘What I managed to avoid doing was panic and start talking really fast as I have been known to do in the past.’
  • ‘Even the best of our past leaders have been known to falter on this very question.’
  • ‘Don't get me wrong I love a good drink and am a social smoker and in the past have been known to smoke cannabis.’
  • ‘I like puzzles and have been known to buy the occasional puzzle magazine.’
  • ‘Even I have been known to go to the fair (though usually I have to be dragged there by someone).’
  • ‘I generally wear comfortable clothes for DJ-ing, although I have been known to turn up for gigs in a suit.’
  • ‘They can be quite vicious and have been known to attack humans if threatened.’
  • ‘In terms of exercise, I do a lot of walking and have been known to go for a run.’
  • ‘They feed on smaller birds and rodents but have been known to go for cats and small dogs as well.’
I know


• 1I agree.

  ‘‘It's not the same without Rosie.’ ‘I know.’’

  More example sentences

  • ‘‘She'll be really annoyed if you sneak off to go drinking with us at some bar. Especially without her.’ ‘I know.’’

• 2

  (also I know what)

  I have a new idea or suggestion.

  ‘I know what, let's do it now’

  More example sentences

  • ‘I know what, why don't we grab a little bite downstairs and then I'll take you by the house so you can meet the guys.’
  • ‘I know what! I'll fix strawberries just the way you like them! What do you say to that?’
know different


• Be aware of information or evidence to the contrary.

  ‘If you didn't know otherwise, it would be perfectly reasonable to assume the school in question would be open to all, especially thanks to the use of the friendly words ‘junior school’.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Until I know otherwise I'll be starting pre-season training at Fulham.’
  • ‘We may smile now at our erstwhile belief that the sun circles the earth rather than the other way round, or that the earth is flat, but the only reason we know different is that a scientific genius dispelled our illusions.’
  • ‘‘The council might say there are not too many accidents at the junction but we live there and know different,’ he said.’
  • ‘I thought he was a fair driver, but now I know different.’
  • ‘To the outside world he looked like a sweet old man - but his neighbours knew otherwise.’
  • ‘You may say you love him, but your heart knows otherwise.’
  • ‘My money's on Celtic, unless anyone knows different?’
  • ‘Tentatively, therefore, it could be a new ‘course record’ - unless anyone knows different.’
  • ‘Geologists once thought that collapsing volcanoes were rare in Earth's history; now they know otherwise.’
know better than


• Be wise or polite enough to avoid doing a particular thing.

  ‘you ought to know better than to ask that’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The 55-year-old veteran of the international scene knows better than to expect instant success.’
  • ‘He knows better than to ask me if I've had a nice day when I get home from work or whether the children have been good while he's been out.’
  • ‘Experienced political campaigners know better than to argue with a tough minded person like yourself.’
  • ‘Intelligent women know better than to fall for such cleverly camouflaged spiel.’
  • ‘You should know better than to put thoughts and criticism in people's minds.’
  • ‘Mr Bradbury said people should know better than to start any sort of fire within a forest, even if they thought it was only an old tree trunk.’
  • ‘It would be easy to dismiss Elizabeth as a weak woman who should know better than to put up with her husband's bullying and violence.’
  • ‘Most seasoned travellers know better than to judge a country by its approach to visa applications.’
  • ‘He, of all people should know better than to park illegally in a disabled space and deserves no sympathy whatsoever.’
  • ‘I should know better than to mix alcohol, it's always a bit of a mistake.’
know someone by sight


• Recognize someone by their appearance without knowing their name or being so well acquainted as to talk to them.

  ‘The woman and her family moved here from France sometime earlier this year, I didn't know her name but I knew her by sight.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘We all knew them by sight and they seemed a truly lovely family.’
  • ‘I had known his brother very well at junior school and I knew Freddie by sight.’
  • ‘But although the people living and working locally knew him by sight, they noticed he was never much seen out of his flat, except to buy essentials from the next-door newsagents.’
  • ‘But she said she had never spoken to him before and only knew him by sight.’
  • ‘I hadn't had any call to work with her department since starting and knew her by sight and reputation only.’
  • ‘Leo, the manager of the restaurant, knew me by sight and winked when he saw me walk in on Logan's arm.’
  • ‘I knew him by sight, for he went to the same school as me but I had never spoken to him nor did I know his name.’
  • ‘We knew very little about each other; he knew me by reputation, and I knew him by sight.’
  • ‘Naturally I knew her by sight, and had heard her speak, a long time before I came to know her properly.’
know something for a fact


• Be aware of something that is irrefutable or beyond doubt.

  ‘I know for a fact that he can't speak a word of Japanese’

  More example sentences

  • ‘If you know the answer for a fact, please get in touch.’
  • ‘I've heard it said many times, and been long enough on this earth to know it for a fact, that marriage, as a rule, changes women more than men.’
  • ‘I know for a fact that his mother and father didn't have any siblings, so he doesn't have any cousins.’
  • ‘She knew for a fact her sister had never loved William.’
  • ‘In an interview for BBC radio a couple of years ago, he told the interviewer that he'd never logged on to the Internet, but I know for a fact he checks his email.’
know no bounds


• Have no limits.

  ‘their courage knows no bounds’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Similarly, man's imagination has no limits and his inventiveness knows no bounds.’
  • ‘One could say their generosity knows no bounds.’
  • ‘Clearly, the ego of this deluded man knows no bounds.’
  • ‘The generosity of Swindon folk knows no bounds.’
  • ‘A respected writer and academic, he drops names like confetti, judges everyone, hates to lose at anything and has an arrogance that knows no bounds.’
  • ‘The band's propensity for hedonism knows no bounds.’
  • ‘Back in London, my enthusiasm for salsa now knows no bounds.’
  • ‘Peter's dedication to the sport knows no bounds and his love of St. Anne's B.C. is legendary.’
  • ‘It was a testament to love that knows no bounds that my wife stuck with me for the three years we lived there.’
  • ‘Her death came at the peak of a career as an innovator whose passion for dance knew no bounds.’
know someone in the biblical sense
humorous

• Have sexual intercourse with someone.

  ‘I didn't know him from Adam, though it might have been nice to know him in the biblical sense, ha ha.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Well I never knew her in the biblical sense, we just bumped into each other at some party and you know how it goes.’
  • ‘‘I take it you know her?’ Holly asked. ‘Yes,’ Pete said, ‘And, because I know you're curious, yes, I knew her in the biblical sense as well.’’
know one's own mind


• Be decisive and certain.

  ‘It's been an eye-opener for the whole family, but she's 20 years old, she knows her own mind and she can make her own decisions.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘In Russia he also has a reputation as a coach who knows his own mind and is not afraid to speak it, something which has not always pleased his club presidents.’
  • ‘We like Ken, he knows his own mind and never panders to the media or the public.’
  • ‘The ‘adult’ approach is for the parent to deal with the child as a mature individual capable of knowing their own mind.’
  • ‘Although his reputation is that of a man who knew and knows his own mind, he was also a team player, a characteristic which is essential for success in intelligence.’
  • ‘She knows her own mind and speaks it without constraint.’
  • ‘You think I'm not old enough to know my own mind?’
  • ‘The last thing I need is a boyfriend who doesn't know his own mind.’
  • ‘They liked a king who ruled with confidence, and knew his own mind.’
  • ‘She admonished him gently with the news that she was a grown woman and knew her own mind.’
  • ‘I know many of you think it is a waste of time but I think it will be one of the best days of our lives.’
know one's way around


• Be familiar with (an area, procedure, or subject).

  ‘Cottrell has been a coach since 1981, so he knows his way around the league.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Presumably Davies knows his way around the Hollywood A-list well enough.’
  • ‘Although he is a relative newcomer to the lobbying game, Livingston obviously knows his way around the halls of Congress and how to pitch for a client.’
  • ‘The plant was filled with workers who barely knew their way around, let alone grasped the dangers they faced.’
know the ropes


• Have experience of the appropriate procedures.

  ‘He has been in the limelight for six years now and knows the ropes.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘He had minimal playing experience in the majors, but he has been in baseball since the '70s and knows the ropes.’
  • ‘One of the most efficient and safest ways to see the most sights in the least amount of time is with a tour guide who knows the ropes.’
  • ‘The customs officials and immigration officers know the ropes and take you through every step - this is their job and they do it well.’
  • ‘They are welcomed, encouraged and helped by the friendly staff and older members who already know the ropes.’
  • ‘I have been to Thailand a few times, so I know the ropes, or at least I think I do.’
  • ‘He had traveled a lot overseas on business and kind of knew the ropes… but we were too tired to care.’
  • ‘But having people there from home who knew the ropes made it a lot easier for me.’
  • ‘Needless to say, I could use some direction and encouragement from someone who knows the ropes.’
  • ‘Once you know the ropes, blogging is easy - and fun.’
know what one likes


• Have fixed or definite tastes, without necessarily having the knowledge or informed opinion to support them.

  ‘I don't understand all this modern poetry at all, but I know what I like’

  More example sentences

  • ‘I don't feel qualified to comment as a music critic, but I know what I like, and I enjoyed many of the musical selections.’
  • ‘I don't know a damn thing about photography, but I know what I like.’
know what's what
informal

• Be experienced and competent in a particular area.

  More example sentences

  • ‘Peritz, in truth, is an inherently humble guy who knows what's what.’
  • ‘Yes, you guessed it - the subject is the upcoming election, and the political scientists think they know what's what.’
  • ‘Hire a crew of people who have put on such shows before, and who know what's what.’
  • ‘He's a good boy and old enough to know what's what out there.’
  • ‘You may not make much money, but after six months of dedicated effort you should have a winning portfolio that will convince your prospective employer that you know what's what and can do the job.’
  • ‘Ads nowadays, especially on TV, portray blokes as stupid and disorganised, while women always know what's what.’
  • ‘The Berlin film audience, however, immediately erupted into spontaneous applause, proving that we 21 st-century folk know what's what.’
  • ‘You think you've seen life, think you know what's what, but you haven't, and you don't.’
  • ‘I think everyone can be their own researcher now really; you can be in charge of your own affairs and know what's what.’
  • ‘You don't need a university education to understand this world and to know what's what.’
know who's who


• Be aware of the identity and status of each person.

  ‘Ensure that they know who's who and can identify company structure, individual roles and the existing communicative systems in use as soon as possible.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘We're on a first-name basis with a lot of people and we know who's who in the community.’
  • ‘This invaluable data base will be expanded and updated, helping us - and the media - know who's who in the corporate-scientific complex.’
  • ‘Certainly, a reader who knows who's who in this story will appreciate the humor and ingenuity considerably more.’
  • ‘I loved my job and I was said to be very good at what I did, but I wasn't very good at that whole ‘knowing who's who in the corporate world’ thing.’
  • ‘The first thing we did when we got here was go around getting to know who's who before asking any questions.’
  • ‘It benefits every investor to know who's who behind that set of magnificent oak doors, as each of the employees in a securities firm affects the real returns of one's investment portfolio.’
  • ‘Writing about the public consultation over plans for the introduction of non-medically qualified surgical care practitioners, Mr Phillips says it is important that patients know who's who.’
  • ‘Now I like to think I know who's who, but I have to admit to having to ask who our ‘basket case’ was this month.’
not know the first thing about


• Have not the slightest idea about (something)

  ‘he's an engineer, doesn't know the first thing about literature’

  More example sentences

  • ‘I don't know the first thing about firearms; I have never even held a gun.’
  • ‘Most kids his age don't know the first thing about politics.’
  • ‘That was easy for me - I don't know the first thing about football.’
  • ‘I don't know the first thing about delivering a baby.’
  • ‘I don't know the first thing about designer clothes.’
  • ‘It seems to me you don't know the first thing about birds.’
  • ‘You know a year ago you didn't know the first thing about soccer.’
  • ‘But even so, she didn't know the first thing about first aid and had no way of helping him with the injury.’
  • ‘I didn't know the first thing about dancing, and I think Julius was equally uneducated.’
  • ‘Would you buy a BMW from a sales person who didn't know the first thing about the car?’
let it be known


• Ensure that people are informed about something, especially via a third party.

  with clause ‘the Minister let it be known that he was not seeking reappointment’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Once the manufacturer gets the results, it can choose whether to make the information known to the public.’
  • ‘Ireland has operated a voluntary reporting system since 1985, but there is no statutory requirement on doctors to make cases known to public health authorities.’
  • ‘Anyone with information about any violent attacks or murders should make it known to the Police immediately.’
  • ‘He said growers were passionate about the issue, and would make their feelings known through the ballot box.’
  • ‘Objectors have two months to make their views known before the proposals go before the executive board in July for ratification.’
  • ‘It is essential that any persons with any medical and/or related dietary requirements make them known to us well before departure.’
  • ‘An advanced directive is a legal document detailing your wishes in the event you are unable to make them known yourself.’
  • ‘Smith let it be known that he would resign as Labour leader unless he got the support of conference for his motion.’
  • ‘Early last week, the board of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra let it be known that Alsop was to be the next music director.’
  • ‘He let it be known that he would address the workers' concerns, and on that basis the union officials called off the strike.’
not know from nothing
North American informal

• Be totally ignorant.

  More example sentences

  • ‘she shakes her head while you talk, as if to say you don't know from nothing’
  • ‘You don't know from nothing about girls, do you?’
  • ‘He knew from nothing about playing a piano, but his daughter did and from what she'd told him Steinway was one of the premier piano makers in the world.’
not know that
informal

• Used to express one's doubts about one's ability to do something.

  More example sentences

  • ‘I don't know that I can sum up my meaning on paper’
  • ‘I don't know that there's anything you can do; I think you've got to leave it up to him.’
  • ‘I don't know that I can be any more specific than that because there are court proceedings pending.’
  • ‘I don't know that I could go back to having a full-time job.’
not know where to look


• Feel great embarrassment and not know how to react.

  ‘The nave cracked up, the priest didn't know where to look, and Granny was mortified.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘‘Are you pregnant?’ Ruthy didn't know where to look. ‘You're pregnant, right?’’
  • ‘It was embarrassing for us. We didn't know where to look. All the family were getting really frustrated that she hadn't shown up.’
not want to know
informal

• Refuse to react or take notice.

  More example sentences

  • ‘they just didn't want to know when I gave my side of the story’
  • ‘Unless you're awfully special, the market doesn't want to know.’
  • ‘Because we are off the beaten track, the council doesn't want to know.’
  • ‘I am responsible for him but I am told nothing can be done without his agreement, and he doesn't want to know.’
  • ‘Rebecca used to be full of enthusiasm but now she doesn't want to know.’
  • ‘When confronted with food concerns, from pesticide residues to the environmental damage wreaked by salmon farming, the government doesn't want to know.’
  • ‘Management may be good at hitting targets, doing cash-flow levels, but they are rubbish at recognising stress in staff and quite often they don't want to know.’
  • ‘He added: ‘I have tried to market it as a going concern but the big boys just don't want to know.’’
  • ‘They pay lip-service to the green agenda, but when it comes to taking measures that might lose votes, they don't want to know.’
  • ‘My son shouldn't have to put up with that sort of abuse, but when I talk to the council about it, they don't want to know.’
  • ‘While all these wannabes are crying out for TV exposure, the truth is the public don't want to know.’
not know what hit one


• Be very shocked or surprised by a sudden attack or event.

  ‘Friday night at Sam's Town Casino, five miles south of the Las Vegas strip: The unsuspecting locals didn't know what hit them.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Michigan Democrat Carl Levin still doesn't know what hit him.’
  • ‘Quite often what happens is that young men are relatively unaware of their emotions until something goes wrong and then very often they don't know what hit them.’
  • ‘We really didn't know what hit us in England and it wasn't much better last week.’
  • ‘The game got of to a sweltering pace with Camloch scoring 1-4 with no response; it was as if Lisnaskea didn't know what hit them.’
  • ‘Ten years ago, her fellow competitors in the Miss St Lucia pageant didn't know what hit them when Yasmine soared to the top, securing first place.’
  • ‘Carnacon didn't know what hit them as they tried desperately to protect their goal from a barrage of attacks.’
  • ‘But we got the heat turned up now, the cops, they don't know what hit them.’
  • ‘I don't know what hit me but I'm getting sleepy, very sleepy.’
  • ‘‘I joined in 1964, and was sent to Vietnam as a pay clerk in 1966, and I didn't know what hit me: it was surreal,’ Maj Blair said.’
what do you know?
North American informal

• Used as an expression of surprise.

  More example sentences

  • ‘Well what do you know, she does listen to me once in a while.’
  • ‘Well, what do you know; he is good for something besides eating and sleeping!’
  • ‘And what do you know, this evening my uncle turned up.’
  • ‘So now it's 9 p.m. and I've turned back to the Niners game and - what do you know?’
  • ‘We stood outside Fenway Park for a bit, while the Boston Red Sox were playing the Anaheim Angels - and what do you know - the Sox went on to win the World Series.’
  • ‘I follow Suki and Keith's plans and, what do you know, after the first month, I've lost 6 pounds!’
  • ‘The shares may be marooned at 22p but, what do you know, the good news just keeps on coming.’
  • ‘But what do you know - it's a fine album, creatively mixed and structured, full of strong playing and rhythms that actually feel good.’
  • ‘I glanced at the door just as it opened, and what do you know?’
  • ‘Hey, what do you know, it's Grand Prix weekend in Montreal!’
what does — know?
informal

• Used to indicate that someone knows nothing about the subject in question.

  More example sentences

  • ‘what does he know about football, anyway?’
  • ‘He lives with his wife and daughter in a $1.9 million home in Manhattan, what does he know about the minimum wage?’
  • ‘The video seems odd to me, but it's probably the first rock video I've seen in about eight years, so what do I know?’
wouldn't you like to know?
informal

• Used to express one's intention to keep something secret despite another's curiosity.

  More example sentences

  • ‘‘You're loaded, aren't you, Bella?’ ‘Wouldn't you like to know?’’
  • ‘‘How did he get out?’ Aubrey smirked. ‘Wouldn't you like to know?’’
  • ‘‘Where are you going?’ asked Pete. ‘Wouldn't you like to know?’ she said, heading for the door.’
not know what to do with oneself


• Be at a loss as to know what to do, typically through boredom, embarrassment, or anxiety.

  ‘We do meet older people whose children have gone to university and they don't know what to do with themselves.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘We are absolutely devastated, we just don't know what to do with ourselves.’
  • ‘It had become such a habit that I almost don't know what to do with myself now…’
  • ‘The next minute he's miserable, depressed, lonely, doesn't know what to do with himself.’
  • ‘The university grounds get so quiet, he almost doesn't know what to do with himself.’
  • ‘I don't know what to do with myself when I'm not training and stuff.’
  • ‘For a couple of days after I got home, I didn't know what to do with myself.’
  • ‘I didn't know what to do with myself, so I just laid down, hugged myself, and started crying.’
  • ‘She was so happy she didn't know what to do with herself.’
  • ‘She had been up since nine and didn't know what to do with herself.’
you never know
informal

• You can never be certain.

  More example sentences

  • ‘And you never know, you might even find your game improves.’
  • ‘Maybe someone will smuggle me a contraband glass of wine, you never know.’
  • ‘Of course, you never know, there might be an ambitious young politician who wants to run this campaign.’
  • ‘Sunday's forecast is not good, and this is the worst way to end a series, but with three days left you never know.’
  • ‘If the traders had to clear away their own rubbish, you never know, they may even make less mess during the day.’
  • ‘I know, at 42, some might consider me a bit long in the tooth by then, but you never know.’
  • ‘This is probably the best fun I am going to have all Christmas, but you never know.’
  • ‘I like to think that I would have strength to do the right thing, but you never know, do you?’
  • ‘Having said that I doubt very much whether that will be the case, but you never know.’
  • ‘So pick a name at random, and you never know, you might just hit on the right one.’
you know


• 1informal Used to indicate that what is being referred to is known to or understood by the listener.

  More example sentences

  • ‘when in Rome, you know’

  1. 1.1Used as a filler in conversation.
     More example sentences

     • ‘oh well, you know, I was wondering if you had any jobs for me’
     • ‘I fear it may take me some time to get back into, you know, writing, so bear with me.’
     • ‘There has to be a lot of open floor, a lot of room for people to jump up and dance, you know?’
     • ‘So it's been like a new music adventure for me now, you know, like starting all over again.’
     • ‘Sometimes it's just really hard to tell people, you know, what you're feeling and stuff.’
     • ‘Gosh, you know, that was one of the movies that I really, really wanted to do.’
you know something?
informal

• Used to indicate that one is going to say something interesting or surprising.

  More example sentences

  • ‘You know what? I believed her’
  • ‘They pulled me, poked me, sucked blood out of me, pumped drugs into me, and you know what? They still couldn't find anything wrong with me.’
  • ‘But you know something, my job is to uphold the laws of the state.’
  • ‘Well, you know something, the strangest thing is that I never went to counseling for 20 years after Adam.’
  • ‘And you know something, so far, it's worked in I'd say seven different relationships.’
  • ‘And you know something, I don't care because substance abuse is substance abuse.’
  • ‘Do you know something, his Girl Friday, who organises his race plans, is running in this year's London marathon.’
  • ‘And you know something, I called her the next morning and we patched the whole thing up.’
  • ‘And do you know something: there was not one bawdy Brit or a battered pair of trainers anywhere in sight!’
  • ‘People might be accepting but that means absolutely nothing because you know what? They're all cowards.’
  • ‘And do you know what, we just happened to get a close up shot of your man later in the game.’

Old English cnāwan (earlier gecnāwan) ‘recognize, identify’, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin (g)noscere, Greek gignōskein, also by can and ken.