know the score

Idioms and Phrases

Also, know what's what . Understand what is happening; be familiar with the real story or the full situation. For example, It will take the new legislators some time to know the score , or When it comes to teaching youngsters to read, Nell knows what's what . The first expression, dating from about 1930, alludes to score as a tally of points in a game. The variant dates from about 1400.

Example Sentences

Even if some at Fox management hate Trump for pushing them to to say false things on-air that got them sued, they know the score: It's him or Biden.

From Salon

But West Ham know the score now on these European nights and, despite a wobble after conceding they dusted themselves down, made changes and dragged their way to victory.

From BBC

They had been here before, they knew the score.

From BBC

Of course, there would be the occasional fines and sealed judgments — and Cohn was disbarred weeks before he died of AIDS, abandoned by Trump, who knew the score on being heartless.

From Washington Post

“It was so bizarre because most people did not know the score,” Michael said.

From Washington Post