know what's what
Grasp the situation
To know what's what is to understand the true nature of a situation—to grasp which things matter, how they work, and what's really going on.
The phrase implies practical wisdom and discernment: She's been in the industry for years and knows what's what.
Someone who knows what's what isn't easily fooled or confused by appearances.
- street smartsPractical urban knowledge
- common senseNative practical judgment
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- skillfulnessCompetence from practice
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
been around the block · good judgment · pragmatism · discrimination · familiarity · awareness · mastery · worldly-wise · clarity · grasp · insight · sharp as a tack · resourcefulness · shrewdness · appraisal · quick on the uptake · adaptability · proficiency