street smarts

plural noun

, Informal.

1. shrewd awareness of how to survive or succeed in any situation, especially as a result of living or working in a difficult environment, as a city ghetto neighborhood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of street smarts¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

School was a struggle, and this was a chance to show that his street smarts more than made up for it.

From Literature

Mr Erdogan entered the contest with many advantages: his street smarts, his common touch, and his control of 90% of the media here.

From BBC

But what he lacks in book learning he’s more than made up for in wisdom, humanity and street smarts.

From Los Angeles Times

But in this case, the bigger part of the appeal may be watching Buckley work a buyer using bravado and street smarts.

From New York Times

We respond to his street smarts and cockiness, but his startlingly mature eyes tell us his bravado conceals fears and insecurities he is barely capable of articulating.

From Salon