know the score

1. Also, know what's what. Understand what is happening; be familiar with the real story or the full situation. For example, It will take the new legislators some time to know the score, or When it comes to teaching youngsters to read, Nell knows what's what. The first expression, dating from about 1930, alludes to score as a tally of points in a game. The variant dates from about 1400.

Example Sentences

If you’re reading this, you already know the score, along with all the best lines and most memorable “bad hombres” — Corporal Hicks, Hudson, Vasquez, Bishop and the rest.

From Salon

He needs to keep folks distracted, and if yelling "Kennedy" and "Epstein" is what it takes, well, Trump knows the score.

From Salon

Montoya can at least claim to know the score, since he was a Spanish reality TV veteran before romantic distress transformed him into a heartsick Sonic the Hedgehog.

From Salon

The players knew the score so well, their eyes remained glued on Dudamel.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if some at Fox management hate Trump for pushing them to to say false things on-air that got them sued, they know the score: It's him or Biden.

From Salon

Related Words

• alive 
• appreciative 
• apprehensive 
• attentive 
• awake 
• cognizant 
• conscious 
• familiar 
• informed 
• mindful 
• receptive 
• wise