know the score
Grasp the situation
To know the score is to understand the real situation, especially aspects that aren't obvious or openly acknowledged: She knows the score—don't try to fool her.
The phrase implies practical awareness gained through experience, often about how things actually work versus how they're supposed to work.
From sports, where knowing the score means understanding where things stand.
Given necessary knowledge
- awareHaving knowledge of
- clued-inMade aware beforehand
- cognizantConscious of facts
- apprisedGave pertinent information
alert · perceptive · conscious · mindful · observant · attuned · vigilant · heedful
Shrewd from urban experience
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- cannyShrewdly practical and cautious
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
clever · quick · smart · perceptive · discerning · quick-witted · keen · calculating
Flavored or battle-tested
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- worldlyExperienced in practical affairs
- street-smartUrban survival instincts
- battle-scarredDamaged by fighting
hardened · mature · wise · weathered · practiced · tested · scarred · jaded
Focused on workable solutions
- realisticTrue to life
- clear-eyedPerceiving without distortion
- unsentimentalLacking emotional softness
- hard-nosedStubbornly realistic, unsentimental
no-nonsense · matter-of-fact · sober · level-headed · grounded · practical · unromantic · unflinching
informed
Given necessary knowledge
apprised · alert · perceptive · conscious · mindful · observant · attuned · vigilant · heedful · watchful
streetwise
Shrewd from urban experience
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- cannyShrewdly practical and cautious
sharp · clever · quick · smart · perceptive · discerning · quick-witted · keen · calculating · crafty
seasoned
Flavored or battle-tested
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- worldlyExperienced in practical affairs
- street-smartUrban survival instincts
battle-scarred · hardened · mature · wise · weathered · practiced · tested · scarred · jaded · cynical
pragmatic
Focused on workable solutions
- realisticTrue to life
- clear-eyedPerceiving without distortion
- unsentimentalLacking emotional softness
hard-nosed · no-nonsense · matter-of-fact · sober · level-headed · grounded · practical · unromantic · unflinching · blunt