know where one stands

verb

To be aware of one's position.

“I know where I stand as far as he's concerned: I'm the enemy.”

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Meanings

verbknow where one stands (third-person singular simple present knows where one stands, present participle knowing where one stands, simple past knew where one stood, past participle known where one stood)

present singular third person knows where one stands · participle present knowing where one stands · past knew where one stood · participle past known where one stood

  1. figurativelyTo be aware of one's position.

    I know where I stand as far as he's concerned: I'm the enemy.

Cite this entry
APA

know where one stands. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20where%20one%20stands

MLA

“know where one stands.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20where%20one%20stands. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “know where one stands,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20where%20one%20stands.

Source: know where one stands on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.