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[know-how]{n.}, {slang} Expertise; ability to devise and construct. •/The United States had the know-how to beat the Soviet Union to the moon in 1969./

[know if one is coming or going] or [know whether one is coming or going]{v. phr.} To feel able to think clearly; know what to do. — Usually used in the negative or with limiters. •/On Monday, the car broke down; on Tuesday, Mother broke her arm; on Wednesday, the children all became ill with the mumps; by Thursday, poor Father didn’t know if he was coming or going./ •/My cousin is so much in love that she scarcely knows whether she’s coming or going./ Compare: IN A FOG.

[know in one’s bones] See: FEEL IN ONE’S BONES.

[know-it-all]{n.} A person who acts as if he knows all about everything; someone who thinks no one can tell him anything new. •/After George was elected as class president, he wouldn’t take suggestions from anyone; he became a know-it-all./ — Also used like an adjective. •/The other students didn’t like George’s know-it-all attitude./

[knowledge] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

[know one in high places]{v. phr.} To be connected with people in power. •/Ted’s grandfather was the mayor of Chicago so he knows people in high places./

[know one is alive]{v. phr.} Not to notice a person. — Used with negative or limiting words and in questions. •/She was a good-looking girl but she didn’t know I was alive./ Compare: GIVE A HANG.

[know one’s own mind]{v. phr.} To no( hesitate or vacillate; be definite in one’s ideas or plans. •/It is impossible to do business with Fred, because he doesn’t know his own mind./

[know one’s place]{v. phr.} To be deferential to one’s elders or superiors. •/Ken is a talented teaching assistant, but he has a tendency to tell the head of the department how to run things. Somebody ought to teach him to know his place./

[know one’s way around] or [know one’s way about]{v. phr.} 1. To understand how things happen in the world; he experienced in the ways of the world. •/The sailor had been in the wildest ports in the world. He knew his way around./ Compare: HAVE BEEN AROUND. 2. or {informal}[know one’s onions] or [know one’s stuff] To have experience and skill in an activity. •/Before trying to make any pottery, it is better to get advice from someone who knows his stuff in ceramics./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.

[know something inside out]{v. phr.} To be extremely well conversant with something; be an expert in; have thorough knowledge of. •/Tom knows the stock market inside out./

[know the ropes] See: THE ROPES.

[know the score] See: THE SCORE.

[know what’s what] See: KNOW SOMETHING INSIDE OUT.

[know which side one’s bread is buttered on]{v. phr.} To know who can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain. •/Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was buttered on./

[know which way to turn] See: NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.

[knuckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN, RAP ONE’S KNUCKLES.

[knuckle down] See: BUCKLE DOWN.

[knuckle under]{v. phr.} To do something because you are forced to do it. •/Bobby refused to knuckle under to the bully./ Compare: GIVE IN.

[labor movement]{n.} Groups which form, strengthen, and increase membership in labor unions. •/His father was connected with the labor movement in the 1920’s./

[labor of love]{n. phr.} Something done for personal pleasure and not pay or profit. •/Building the model railroad was a labor of love for the retired engineer./

[labor the point] See: BELABOR THE POINT.

[labor under]{v. phr.} To be the victim of; suffer from. •/Ken is obviously laboring under the delusion that Jennifer will marry him out of love./

[lace into] or [tie into]{v.}, {informal} To attack physically or with words; begin to hit or criticize. •/The boxer laced into his opponent./ •/The critics laced into the new movie./ Syn.: LAY INTO, RIP INTO. Compare: GIVE IT TO.

[ladies' room]{n. phr.} A public toilet and restroom for women. •/Can you please tell me where the ladies' room is?/

[lady friend]{n.} 1. A woman friend. •/His aunt stays with a lady friend in Florida during the winter./ 2. A woman who is the lover of a man. — Used by people trying to appear more polite, but not often used by careful speakers. •/The lawyer took his lady friend to dinner./ Syn.: GIRLFRIEND.

[lady-killer]{n.}, {informal} 1. Any man who has strong sex appeal toward women. •/Joe is a regular lady-killer./ 2. A man who relentlessly pursues amorous conquests, is successful at it, and then abandons his heartbroken victims. •/The legendary Don Juan of Spain is the most famous lady-killer of recorded history./ Compare: LADY’S MAN.

[lady of the house]{n. phr.} Female owner, or wife of the owner, of the house; the hostess. •/"Dinner is served," the lady of the house announced to her guests./

[lady’s man]{n.} A man or boy who likes to be with women or girls very much and is popular with them. •/Charlie is quite a lady’s man now./

[lake] See: GO JUMP IN THE LAKE.

[laid out]{adj.} Arranged. •/Her house is very conveniently laid out./

[laid up]{adj.} Sick; confined to bed. •/I was laid up for a couple of weeks with an ear infection./

[lam] See: ON THE LAM.

[lamb] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, IN TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB’S TAIL.

[lame duck]{n.}, {informal} An elected public official who has been either defeated in a new election or whose term cannot be renewed, but who has a short period of time left in office during which he can still perform certain duties, though with somewhat diminished powers. •/In the last year of their second terms, American presidents are lame ducks./