Meanings
present singular third person knows the score · participle present knowing the score · past knew the score · participle past known the score
- idiomaticinformalTo be aware of a situation, especially of the consequences of misconduct.
I've seen it before / I know the score / You're trying to be wild and carefree / You really can't take it no more
1980, “Somehow”, in New Clear Days, performed by The Vapors1 more example
Our love wasn't perfect I know, I think you know the score / When you say you love me, oh boy, I can't ask for more
1990, Stock Aitken Waterman, “Better the Devil You Know”, in Rhythm of Love, performed by Kylie Minogue
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Translations
Finnish tietää tilanne, olla kärryillä
- tietää tilanneTranslations
- olla kärryilläTranslations
French connaître la musique, connaître la chanson
- connaître la musiqueTranslations
- connaître la chansonTranslations
Hungarian tudja, mi az ábra, ismeri a dörgést
- tudja, mi az ábraTranslations
- ismeri a dörgéstTranslations
Polish orientować się
- orientować sięTranslations
Russian знать, что к чему́
- знать, что к чему́ (znatʹ, što k čemú)Translations
Spanish quedarse con la copla, conocer el percal
- quedarse con la coplaTranslations
- conocer el percalTranslations
Cite this entry
know the score. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20the%20score
“know the score.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20the%20score. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “know the score,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20the%20score.
Source: know the score on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.