PhrasesHub

Know your onions

    Definitions

      • be knowledgeable or well-informed about something
        To indicate that someone is knowledgeable or well-informed about a particular subject or topic

      • be skilled or competent
        To indicate that someone is skilled or competent in a particular area or occupation

    Examples of Know your onions

    • Sarah is a marketing executive who knows her onions. She always comes up with innovative strategies that set our company apart from the competition.

      The idiom "know your onions" in this example means Sarah has a great deal of expertise and experience in her field. Just as cutting an onion into small pieces is a skill that requires knowledge and practice, having a successful career in marketing is a complex and multi-faceted task that requires significant knowledge and experience. In other words, Sarah is an expert in marketing and knows exactly what she's doing.

    • The head chef at our restaurant knows his onions. He can whip up a storm in the kitchen and create dishes that are both delicious and stunning to look at.

      In this example, "know his onions" means the chef has a deep understanding of cooking techniques and flavors. Just as knowing how to dice an onion into small pieces is essential for many recipes, having a comprehensive knowledge of cooking is necessary to create intricate, flavorful dishes. By knowing his onions, the chef can prepare delicious and visually appealing dishes, making him an expert in his field.

    • Tom is always volunteering at the local community center. He really knows his onions when it comes to helping others.

      In this example, "know his onions" implies that Tom has a lot of experience and wisdom when it comes to helping others. Just as knowing how to prepare onions properly can make a big difference in the flavor and texture of a dish, having a great deal of experience and knowledge when it comes to helping others can make a big difference in the effectiveness and impact of a volunteer's work. Tom's expertise in this area makes him an invaluable asset to the community center.

    • Mark has been working for our company for years. He really knows his onions when it comes to sales.

      In this example, "knows his onions" means Mark has a significant amount of experience and proficiency in sales. Just as knowing how to cut an onion into small pieces is essential for many recipes, having a deep understanding of sales techniques is necessary to succeed in sales. By knowing his onions, Mark is able to make sales efficiently and effectively.

    • Sarah is a real marketing guru - she knows her onions when it comes to social media campaigns.

      The idiom "know your onions" originally refers to someone who knows how to cut onions, a skill that requires experience and expertise. In this example, it's used metaphorically to mean that Sarah is highly knowledgeable and experienced in her field of marketing, especially in regards to social media.

    • John might not be a chef, but he definitely knows his onions when it comes to grilling the perfect steak.

      This example uses the idiom in a different context, illustrating that someone can have expertise in a specific skill or area of interest, without necessarily being an expert in their overall profession.

    • When it comes to tax law, my accountant really knows his onions, thank goodness!

      Here, the idiom is used to describe someone who is highly knowledgeable in a specific and technical area, such as tax law.

    • As a stay-at-home mom, Lisa has learned to really know her onions when it comes to keeping a tight budget and finding creative ways to save money.

      In this context, the idiom takes on a new meaning, as Lisa's expertise is in managing a household budget, rather than in a specific profession or field.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "know your onions" is used to express that someone is knowledgeable or skilled in a certain subject or area. It can be used to compliment someone's expertise or to encourage them to trust their own knowledge and abilities.

    Origin of "Know your onions"

    The origin of the idiom "know your onions" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The word "onions" in this idiom is thought to refer to someone's knowledge or expertise, as onions have many layers and are often used as a metaphor for depth or complexity. The idiom became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and it is still commonly used today to praise someone's knowledge or skills. While the exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, its meaning and usage have remained consistent over time.