Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

know which end is up

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.41 in modern English

Syllables: know which end is up
IPA

37

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

1

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.

Example Sentences

"He was too stoned to know which end was up."
"He's so in love, he doesn't know which end is up."
"“I'll gladly take criticism from a cop who knows which end is up and isn't afraid to do the job the way it should be done.”"
"“I'm not some naïve, virginal little nothing who doesn't know which end is up.”"
"“[B]elieve me, she is some catch for the right boy—for a boy which knows which end is up.”"
"“When someone doesn't know which end is up, who knows why they do things.”"

Etymology

From the common marking this end up on parcels to guide proper transport.

Inflected Forms

knows which end is up (present, singular) knowing which end is up (participle, present) knew which end is up (past) known which end is up (participle, past)

Phrases

know one's way around know which side one's bread is buttered on

Frequently Paired Words

know one's way around know which side one's bread is buttered on

Synonyms

know which way is up

Questions

What does know which end is up mean?: To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.
Where does know which end is up come from?: From the common marking this end up on parcels to guide proper transport.

How to pronounce know which end is up

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