know

know1 [ nou ] (past tense knew [ nu ] ; past participle known [ noun ] ) verb never progressive ***

▸ 1 learn/understand

▸ 2 be familiar with

▸ 3 use particular name for

▸ 4 remember someone for something

▸ 5 experience

▸ 6 have learned something

▸ 7 feel certain about

▸ 8 recognize

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive or transitive to have learned or found out about something:

If you don't know the answer, just guess.

How do you know my name?

Have they arrived yet? I don't know.

know (that): I knew she wasn't really happy.

know what/where/how etc.: I don't know where the money's coming from.

know if: I need to know if she's made a decision yet.

know something about someone/something: I don't know anything about it.

know something for sure/for certain/for a fact: We know for a fact that the fire was started deliberately.

know something from experience: We know from experience that unemployment makes the problem worse.

a ) intransitive or transitive to realize or understand something:

None of us really knew what had gone wrong.

b ) transitive often passive used about things that most people think or believe are true:

The ancient city is known to have existed in the region.

know someone/something to do something: Some drugs are known to cause damage to unborn children.

know someone/something to be something: The pilots were experienced and known to be very competent.

2. ) transitive to be familiar with someone, because you have met them or because you are friends:

Some of you may know Ivan already.

She had known Nancy for years.

I felt I hardly knew my father.

a ) to be familiar with a process or system:

Do you know this program?

You know the rules.

b ) to be able to speak a language:

Do you know any Spanish?

c ) to be familiar with a place, because you have been there:

Do you know Rome well?

d ) to be familiar with things such as books, music, or art:

Do you know Beethoven's Ninth Symphony?

3. ) transitive to use a particular name for someone or something:

know someone/something as something: The place was known as Boot Hill.

know someone/something by something: They know all their professors by their first names.

4. ) transitive know someone as/for something to remember or recognize someone because of a particular skill or quality they have:

He was best known as a painter.

She is known mostly for her love poetry.

5. ) transitive to experience something:

It was the only comfort and warmth she had ever known.

have never known something: He had never known anything like this intense feeling.

have never known someone (to) do something: I've never known her to tell a joke.

6. ) transitive to have learned a poem, story, or song, so that you can say it or sing it:

The tune's familiar but I don't know the words.

7. ) intransitive or transitive to feel certain about something:

She knew it was Steven before she'd picked up the phone.

8. ) transitive to recognize something or someone:

It was Henry; I would have known him anywhere.

as we know it

used when you are talking about something that people are familiar with, especially something that is likely to change:

This could mean the end of life as we know it.

as you know MAINLY SPOKEN

used when you are saying something that someone already knows:

As you know, we've already accepted an offer from another company.

for all I know

used for emphasizing that you do not know something:

He could be a murderer for all I know.

get to know

to start to be familiar with someone or something:

It took a while to get to know the city properly.

God/Goodness/Heaven/Lord knows MAINLY SPOKEN

1. ) used for emphasis:

God knows, it would be a disaster if that happened.

2. ) used for saying that you do not know something:

Where on earth can they have gone? Goodness knows.

What effect it will have, heaven only knows.

how should I know? SPOKEN

used for saying in an annoyed way that you do not know something:

How should I know what she thinks about it?

I don't know

1. ) used for saying that you are not certain about something:

I don't know whether: I don't know whether economic issues were discussed specifically.

2. ) used for saying that you do not completely agree:

It'll be boring. Oh I don't know, it might be fun.

I don't know that: I don't know that we need to discuss this.

3. ) used when you are giving your opinion and want to find out what someone else thinks:

I don't know about you, but I'm starving.

4. ) used for criticizing someone:

I don't know what/how/why etc.: I don't know what they were thinking of.

I don't know how he could be so cruel.

if you must know SPOKEN

used for answering someone in an annoyed way:

He's not my boyfriend any more, if you must know.

I know

1. ) used for agreeing with what someone says:

He's a complete idiot. Yeah, I know.

2. ) used for showing that you understand someone and feel sympathy for them:

I know how hard this is for you.

3. ) used for showing that you know there is a problem, but you do not think it is important:

I know, I should have told you I'd be late.

I know the plan is pretty rough, but you get the idea.

4. ) used when you have a sudden idea:

I know, let's go to the movies instead.

know something backwards/inside out

to be very familiar with something

know best

used for saying whose opinion is most important:

When it comes to toys, your child knows best.

know better

1. ) used for saying that someone should not make a mistake, because they are sensible or experienced:

She should know better than to try to fool him.

2. ) to know that what someone else says or thinks is wrong:

Everyone thought it was an innocent mistake, but I knew better.

know your own mind

to be certain about what you like and what you want

know what's what SPOKEN

to be very clever or experienced

let someone know

to tell someone something:

Let me know when he arrives.

not know whether you are coming or going SPOKEN

to feel very confused, for example because you are very busy

not want to know INFORMAL

to refuse to listen to someone or get involved in something:

We asked several of them to help, but they didn't want to know.

what do you know SPOKEN

used for showing that you are surprised

you don't know SPOKEN

used for emphasizing what you are going to say next:

You don't know how happy this makes me!

you know SPOKEN

1. ) INFORMAL used while you think about what to say next:

My whole leg was, you know, soaked in blood.

2. ) used when you are giving extra information about something:

Have you seen that bowl, you know, the blue one?

3. ) used for emphasis:

Things are different now, you know.

4. ) used before you start to talk about a particular person or thing:

You know the woman next door, well, she's expecting a baby.

you know what I mean? SPOKEN

used for trying to make someone agree with you

you never know SPOKEN

used for saying that something good might happen:

You never know, he may still come.

=> ADAM, BOUND 3, DEVIL, FIRST

`know of phrasal verb transitive

know of someone/something to know about someone or something:

I only know of one case in which this has happened.

Do you know of anyone who's looking for a new car?

a. to know about someone or something, but not know any details

not that I know of SPOKEN

used for answering that you think something is not true, although you are not completely certain

know

know 2 [ nou ] noun

in the know

people in the know have more information about something than other people:

Those in the know say he's likely to lose his job.