know which way is up

A form of know which end is up — To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.

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Meanings

verbknow which way is up (third-person singular simple present knows which way is up, present participle knowing which way is up, simple past knew which way is up, past participle known which way is up)

present singular third person knows which way is up · participle present knowing which way is up · past knew which way is up · participle past known which way is up

  1. alternativeAlternative form of know which end is up.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
know which end is up
Cite this entry
APA

know which way is up. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20which%20way%20is%20up

MLA

“know which way is up.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20which%20way%20is%20up. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “know which way is up,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20which%20way%20is%20up.

Source: know which way is up on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.