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Glite Dictionary
to know your beans

to know your beans

9.1
To be an expert in a subject like cooking or computers
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : saber de lo que hablas
  • She certainly knows her beans when it comes to Italian cuisine.

Examples

  • The new manager didn't know his beans about the industry and struggled at first.

  • You really know your beans when it comes to gardening!

  • If you want to work here, you really have to know your beans about computers.

  • Does she know her beans about the new software?

  • If you want to succeed in this job, you must know your beans about marketing trends.

  • She really knows her beans regarding classical music and can name every composer.

  • To pass the exam, you should know your beans about world history.

Synonyms

to know
vsto know your beans
∞ 1.0

To have information about something

is fuller detailed understanding rather than mere awareness
to know about
vsto know your beans
∞ 1.5

Have information about a person or situation

is more thorough and informed knowledge than mere basic facts
to know what's what
vsto know your beans
  • Informal
15 6.7

To understand a situation or subject well

is broader subject knowledge rather than only situational understanding
to know one's shit
vsto know your beans
  • Offensive
9.9

To have a lot of skill and information about a subject

is general well-informed knowledge rather than very skilled expertise

Antonyms

uninformed
42 3.7

Not knowing about a subject or situation

How Knowledgeable

to know your beans
  • UK
9.1
to know beans about
  • Informal
1 9.7

Surface Forms

know your beans infinitive
knowing your beans present participle
knows your beans third person singular
knew your beans past
known your beans past participle

Morphology

know + your + beans

The meaning 'to be knowledgeable' is not derivable from the literal parts 'know' + 'your' + 'beans' because 'beans' does not contribute a semantic link to expertise. This is an idiomatic use (similar to variants like 'know one's onions' or 'not know beans/papa' in other languages) where the food item is arbitrary, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituents would not reliably infer the idiomatic meaning.

Etymology

Know your beans may come from old market sellers who knew every kind of bean and its price, a clear picture of someone who really knew their stuff. Because these sellers were seen as experts, the phrase came to mean 'to be knowledgeable about a subject'.