Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

know one's onions

/ˌnoʊ wʌnz ˈʌnj(ə)nz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.68 in modern English

Syllables: know one’s on-ions
IPA: /ˌnoʊ wʌnz ˈʌnj(ə)nz/

21

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Synonym of know one's stuff: to be knowledgeable about a given subject or task.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Joe really knows his onions when it comes to cooking."
"Sam Tyler: Well, our first priority is to make sure the thieves don't strike again. It'll be tricky, 'cause these sorts of gangs rarely have just one target on the go. They've usually researched half a dozen possibilities, waiting for the most opportune circumstances on any of them. / Harry Woolf: He knows his onions, this lad, eh? / Gene Hunt: Oh, he's a right little smart-arse. So, what do you suggest, Buddha?"

Etymology

Origin unknown.

Word Breakdown

Root: *ǵneh₃-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌnoʊ wʌnz ˈʌnj(ə)nz/
British English: /ˌnəʊ wʌnz ˈʌnjənz/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

knows one's onions (present, singular) knowing one's onions (participle, present) knew one's onions (past) known one's onions (participle, past) know one's onion (alternative)

Synonyms

know one's stuff

Questions

How do you pronounce know one's onions?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌnoʊ wʌnz ˈʌnj(ə)nz/.
What does know one's onions mean?: Synonym of know one's stuff: to be knowledgeable about a given subject or task.
Where does know one's onions come from?: Origin unknown.

How to pronounce know one's onions

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