know the score: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘know the score’ mean?

The idiom "know the score" means to understand and be aware of the situation or the facts.

Idiom Explorer

Decoding the Essence

know what is what is another idiom that conveys a similar meaning to know the score. It implies having a clear understanding or knowledge of the essential or important aspects of a situation. Just like knowing the score, knowing what is what emphasizes the importance of being well-informed and having a grasp on the realities of a given matter.

Similarly, know which end is up is an idiom that signifies being knowledgeable and aware of the basic facts or principles of a situation. This phrase suggests the importance of understanding the fundamental aspects and being able to navigate through a situation with confidence and clarity.

She has a great grasp of the situation.

know inside and out is yet another idiom that aligns with the concept of knowing the score. It implies having a deep and thorough understanding of a subject or matter. When someone knows something inside and out, they are well-versed, knowledgeable, and have a comprehensive grasp of all the details and intricacies involved.

know one's shit is a more colloquial variation of these idioms and conveys a similar meaning. It is used to emphasize that someone has a high level of expertise, knowledge, or understanding in a particular area. The idiom suggests that the person is well-informed and capable of handling or managing the subject matter effectively.

The idiom know the score serves as an important reminder to be informed and aware of the details and realities of a given situation. It is closely related to other idioms like know what is what, know which end is up, know inside and out, and know one's shit, which all emphasize the importance of being well-informed, knowledgeable, and understanding the essential aspects of a matter.

Example usage

1. She's been working at the company for years, so she definitely knows the score when it comes to office politics.

2. The coach was frustrated with the team's performance and reminded them to focus and know the score.

3. I always study before the exam so that I know the score and can feel confident going into it.

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