to know what's what meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to know what's what" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Knowing what's what can help you make a good decision.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

This idiom is quite informal.
You can predict the outcome or necessary behaviors because you are very familiar with the situation.
This idiom is often preceded by the preposition "but" especially when the idiom is used to convey the idea that the speaker knows something that is not apparent.  For example:

The company tells us that we can take our two weeks holidays when we want to but I know what's what.  If you apply for holidays during the busy season, your request will be denied.

 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
Susan is having a discussion with her boss about a new client their company has.  The client wants to change the rules of the contract they signed.  Susan is reluctant to make the changes because she knows that if her company allows one change, then the customer will want more changes in the future.

Susan knows what's what.

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
Today, Juan is substitute teaching at a local Junior High School.  Juan has substituted as a teacher many times in the past.  As a result, Juan knows that the students like to give substitute teachers more trouble than their usual teachers. 

Juan knows what's what about substitute teaching.

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
"to know what's what"

to understand a situation even though the facts might not be apparent or the facts might be unpleasant
 

Synonyms:
apprehend, aware, catch, cognizant, comprehend, conversant, discern, fathom, get, grasp, infer, informed, intuit, ken, know, learn, learned, master, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, understand
 
 
This person literally knows what's what. - - - - ->