know one's way around

present singular third person knows one's way around · participle present knowing one's way around · past knew one's way around · participle past known one's way around

1. ambitransitiveTo know an area.

   London black cab drivers are obliged to undergo a nearly 3-year-long examination known as the Knowledge to prove that they know their way around the city.

2. ambitransitiveidiomaticSynonym of know one's stuff: to be knowledgeable about a subject or task.

   Joe really knows his way around computers.

   5 more examples

   "Mike's been in on a lot of big stuff, Lee," Pat cut in. "He knows his way around."

   1951, Mickey Spillane, One Lonely Night

   But after more than two decades in the FBI's secretive national-security division, she knows her way around terrorism.

   1998 August 24, Johanna McGeary et al., “Sifting For Answers”, in Time

   “What I need is either a set of CIA credentials—better yet, a CIA agent who knows his way around and can be trusted to keep his mouth shut.”

   2011, W. E. B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV, Covert Warriors, →ISBN

   "Nothing like a man who knows his way around a kitchen," Desiree said.

   2012, Donna Hill, Dare to Dream, →ISBN

   Havok's vocalist has an incredibly powerful thrash scream and the drummer definitely knows his way around a kit. He beats the Hell out of those drums, but he’s not just blasturbating around.

   2015 November 20, ReapSoul964, “Time is Up – Havok”, in The Metal Archives, Quintessential Thrash - 90%

   Synonyms: know one's stuff