Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

it's not what you know but who you know

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.45 in modern English

Syllables: it's not what y-ou -know but who y-ou -know
IPA

64

Scrabble Score

30

Letters

5

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.

Example Sentences

"Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know—in spite of apparent merit systems.""
""In Hollywood, it's not what you know but who you know," said Cross, who added that the awards ceremony was the perfect place to make connections."
""It's not what you know but who you know," Shelby said, as she rummaged through a bag to find the business card he'd handed her."

Inflected Forms

it's not what you know but whom you know (alternative)

Phrases

friends in high places

Frequently Paired Words

friends in high places

Questions

What does it's not what you know but who you know mean?: For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.

How to pronounce it's not what you know but who you know

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