English

Verb

know one's way around

1. (intransitive, idiomatic) To be experienced and knowledgeable.
   • 1951, Mickey Spillane, One Lonely Night, online preview:

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

   • 2011, W. E. B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV, Covert Warriors, ISBN 9781101552223, online preview:

     “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.”

2. (transitive, idiomatic) To be very familiar with; to have a significant understanding of.
   • 1998 Aug. 24, Johanna McGeary et al., "Sifting For Answers," Time:

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

   • 2012, Donna Hill, Dare to Dream, ISBN 9781459227088, online preview:

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

Synonyms

• (intransitive): know one's onions, know one's ****, know one's stuff, know the score, know which end is up