with a particular problem: I know a trick or two about how to handle a customer who is angry or upset. know all the tricks of the trade—know every smart way in an activity related to one’s occupation: I could tell by the way he directed his helper, that he knew all the tricks of the trade . know about someone • know of someone know about someone—1. have knowledge or information about smb.: Knowing what I know about her husband … she is just as delusional as her husband. 2. (negat.) be not sure about a person: I don’t know about John, but I was about ready to fall through the floor with shame. know of someone— = know about someone 1: I know of one eminent man of science, who was a burning and shining light in his day. know best • know better know best—know smth. better than anybody else: On the premise that the workers often know best , the firms are form- ing “quality circles.” These are groups of employees who focus on what can be done to improve output. know better—1. = know best: Community members often know better how to reach their neighbors with key messages on reducing exposure to environmental health hazards. 2. understand the real reason for smth.: After getting his own food, he was jostled roughly so that everything cascaded to the floor … apparently an accident, too, though Rollie knew better . 3. be wise or sensible enough not to behave in a certain way: Even though he knew better , Vinnie lent Tom his license so he would have identification to cross the border. know on which side one’s bread is buttered • know which way the wind blows know on which side one’s bread is buttered—know where one’s interest lies: The judges know on which side their bread was buttered . They would strain a point in favor of the highest po- litical opinion of the day. Cf.: butter one’s bread on both sides— be in very comfortable circumstances; be well provided for: He’s got marble floors in there, crystal figurines on the shelves…. Like we say at home, he butters his bread on both sides . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase not know which end is up— be utterly confused: I didn’t know which end was up when I first entered the classroom and I had every problem one could imagine… know which way the wind blows—understand what is hap- pening in changing circumstances: I will say this for the Phar- maceutical Association, they know which way the wind blows , recognizing an opportunity when they see one. know one’s way about • not know where to turn know one’s way about—(also: know one’s way around) 1. know how to get from place to place in a neighborhood: John was a very skilled climber; he knew his way about the mountains of Scotland. 2. be extremely knowledgeable or experienced: She could do no better than to put her trust in a man of sub- stance, in the prime of life, who knew his way about . not know where to turn—(also: not know which way to turn) be uncertain about what to do next: It became apparent that many families of victims did not know where to turn to receive the aid they needed. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase not know where to look—(also: not know which way to look) be quite embarrassed: I did not know where to look , feel- ing embarrassed at being so openly praised in front of my col- leagues. know something by heart • know something in one’s heart know something by heart—be able to quote smth. from mem- ory: Few lawyers know by heart the complicated statutes relat- ing to Church matters. know something in one’s heart—realize smth. in the depths of one’s mind: Every soldier knows in his heart that he was not made to fire upon the citizens. knuckle down to something • knuckle under to something knuckle down to something—get down to work and do it with great energy: This is a year of hard work when one must knuckle down to the task at hand. knuckle under to something —obey or yield to smth.: Rebecca has shown great courage in refusing to knuckle under to this pressure. L labor day • work day labor day—1. (Labor Day) a day celebrated in honor of workers, often as a public holiday: The governing committee of the Stock Exchange decided to close on Monday, on account of Labor Day . 2. (in the former U.S.S.R.) a unit of labor cal- culated according to the expected productivity of a worker: The amount of work which can be done in a day is worked out for each farm operation and is counted as a “labor day .” work day—(also: working day) 1. a day on which work is usually done: This year, it happened that Christmas fell on his work day . Still, it won’t keep his family from celebrating with Santa. 2. the hours a person works: His work day would generally last from lunchtime through dinner and then he’d work until midnight at the least. lack for something • lack in something lack for something—have need of smth.; be without smth.: Fish is so plentiful on this coast that the natives never lack for food. lack in something—fail to have enough of smth.: No one who is lacking in musical ability will ever become a profes- sional singer. ladies first • women and children first ladies first—is used as an allusion to polite procedure in serving food, entering a vehicle, etc.: Mr. Collins pulled open the doors from inside the hall. “Now,” he said, “Ladies first …” women and children first—is used as an allusion to the accepted order of precedence in rescue work: John’s intent on making us a nation of mariners and under these circumstances, I’ll adopt the old maritime adage, women and children first . ladies’ maid • ladies’ man ladies’ maid—a lady’s personal servant, especially in charge of her toilet: Ladies traveling alone would never have traveled third class. Even ladies’ maids always traveled second. ladies’ man—a man who is fond of female company (also: woman’s man): They told me you were not a ladies’ man , Mr. Smirke. lady of honor • maid of honor lady of honor—1. (Fr.: damme d’honeur) unmarried woman attending a queen or princess: At night, Her Majesty’s ladies of honor came and conducted her to the apartments. 2. a woman with a reputation for loyalty, truthfulness, etc.: How dare you affront an upstanding woman like that sir? I am a lady of honor and you have insulted me like a whore!? – 209 – lady of honor