These idioms go beyond the literal meaning of the word and reveal the deep wisdom and experiences we associate with acquiring and sharing knowledge.
So, let’s unlock the secrets of these idioms and enrich our language of learning.
Knowledge is like a vast library, each book representing a piece of wisdom waiting to be explored, and the more you read, the brighter your light of understanding becomes. For more comparisons to describe knowledge, you can check this link: Similes for knowledge. And for a variety of metaphors related to knowledge, you can explore this link: Metaphors for knowledge.
What is an idiom for knowledge?
An idiom for “knowledge” is a phrase or expression that reflects our thoughts and beliefs about learning, wisdom, and understanding. These idioms often use familiar words in unexpected ways, making them both intriguing and enlightening.
Now, let’s explore a list of idioms related to “knowledge” and unveil their true meanings:
Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
A wealth of knowledge | Having a large amount of information and wisdom. | “Our librarian is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to classic literature.” |
Knowledge is power | Knowledge empowers you in life. | “Education is the key to success; knowledge is power.” |
The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know | As you learn more, you become aware of how much you don’t know. | “Studying different cultures made me realize that the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.” |
A fountain of knowledge | Someone with an extensive understanding of various topics. | “My grandfather, with his years of experience, is a fountain of knowledge about gardening.” |
A walking encyclopedia | Someone with a vast amount of knowledge and facts. | “She’s like a walking encyclopedia; you can ask her about anything, and she’ll have an answer.” |
Brain like a sponge | Someone who quickly absorbs new information. | “During his language immersion program, his brain was like a sponge, picking up words and phrases effortlessly.” |
In the know | Well-informed about a particular topic or situation. | “Only those in the know were aware of the upcoming product launch.” |
Pick someone’s brain | To ask someone for their thoughts or expertise on a specific subject. | “I need to pick John’s brain about his experience with project management.” |
Know the ropes | Experienced and knowledgeable about how things work in a particular situation or field. | “After a few months on the job, she already knows the ropes of the company’s operations.” |
Knowledge is a two-edged sword | Knowledge can be used for both good and bad purposes. | “In the wrong hands, knowledge is a two-edged sword that can cause harm.” |
Like a book with seven seals | Something extremely difficult to understand. | “The instructions for assembling the furniture were like a book with seven seals; I couldn’t figure it out.” |
Knowledge is like a candle’s light | Knowledge helps illuminate the darkness of ignorance. | “Education and reading books are like a candle’s light in the darkness of ignorance.” |
Know-it-all | Someone who believes they know everything and often acts superior. | “Tom can be a bit of a know-it-all; he thinks he’s an expert in everything.” |
Put two and two together | To draw logical conclusions based on available information. | “By observing the clues, I was able to put two and two together and solve the mystery.” |
Like finding a needle in a haystack | Trying to discover something extremely difficult or nearly impossible. | “Finding the lost earring in the sand was like finding a needle in a haystack.” |
Learned the hard way | Gaining knowledge through personal experience, often involving difficulties or mistakes. | “She learned the hard way that procrastination leads to missed deadlines.” |
Wise as an owl | Exceptionally wise or knowledgeable. | “Grandma is as wise as an owl; her advice is always valuable.” |
Knowledge is a double-edged sword | Knowledge can be used for both good and bad purposes, bringing both benefits and risks. | “In the world of technology, knowledge is a double-edged sword; it can be used to create or harm.” |
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing | Limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence and mistakes. | “His brief research on the topic gave him a false sense of expertise; a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” |
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks | It can be challenging to change someone’s established habits or teach them new things, especially as they get older. | “My grandfather refuses to use smartphones; you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” |
Fountain of wisdom | Someone who possesses deep understanding and wise insights. | “Our history teacher is a fountain of wisdom, sharing fascinating stories about the past.” |
Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it | While knowledge is valuable, applying it through practice is essential for mastery. | “Learning to play the piano is a journey; knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” |
Ignorance is bliss | Not knowing about certain things can lead to a happier, simpler life. | “She chose not to read the news because, for her, ignorance is bliss.” |
In the dark | Being uninformed or unaware of something. | “I’m completely in the dark about the surprise party; no one will tell me anything.” |
Not have a clue | To be completely unaware or ignorant about something. | “When it comes to fixing cars, I don’t have a clue; I leave it to the experts.” |
Street smarts | Practical knowledge gained through real-life experiences, especially in urban or everyday situations. | “Having street smarts is essential for navigating the city safely.” |
Teach an old dog new tricks | It is possible to teach someone, even if they are older, as long as they are willing to learn. | “She may be in her 50s, but she’s eager to learn new skills; you can teach an old dog new tricks.” |
Idioms for Knowledge
1. A wealth of knowledge
Meaning: Having a large and diverse amount of information and wisdom.
In a Sentence: “Our librarian is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to classic literature.”
2. Knowledge is power
Meaning: Having knowledge gives you an advantage and empowers you in life.
In a Sentence: “Education is the key to success; knowledge is power.”
3. The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know
Meaning: As you learn more, you become aware of how much there still is to learn.
In a Sentence: “Studying different cultures made me realize that the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”
4. A fountain of knowledge
Meaning: Someone who possesses an extensive and deep understanding of various topics.
In a Sentence: “My grandfather, with his years of experience, is a fountain of knowledge about gardening.”
5. A walking encyclopedia
Meaning: Someone who has a vast amount of knowledge and facts at their disposal.
In a Sentence: “She’s like a walking encyclopedia; you can ask her about anything, and she’ll have an answer.”
6. Brain like a sponge
Meaning: Someone who quickly absorbs and retains new information.
In a Sentence: “During his language immersion program, his brain was like a sponge, picking up words and phrases effortlessly.”
7. In the know
Meaning: Being well-informed or having insider information about a particular topic or situation.
In a Sentence: “Only those in the know were aware of the upcoming product launch.”
8. Pick someone’s brain
Meaning: To ask someone for their thoughts or expertise on a specific subject.
In a Sentence: “I need to pick John’s brain about his experience with project management.”
9. Know the ropes
Meaning: To be experienced and knowledgeable about how things work in a particular situation or field.
In a Sentence: “After a few months on the job, she already knows the ropes of the company’s operations.”
10. Knowledge is a two-edged sword
Meaning: Knowledge can be used for both good and bad purposes.
In a Sentence: “In the wrong hands, knowledge is a two-edged sword that can cause harm.”
11. Like a book with seven seals
Meaning: Something that is extremely difficult to understand or decipher.
In a Sentence: “The instructions for assembling the furniture were like a book with seven seals; I couldn’t figure it out.”
12. Knowledge is like a candle’s light
Meaning: Knowledge helps illuminate the darkness of ignorance.
In a Sentence: “Education and reading books are like a candle’s light in the darkness of ignorance.”
13. Know-it-all
Meaning: Someone who believes they know everything and often acts superior.
In a Sentence: “Tom can be a bit of a know-it-all; he thinks he’s an expert in everything.”
14. Put two and two together
Meaning: To draw logical conclusions based on the information available.
In a Sentence: “By observing the clues, I was able to put two and two together and solve the mystery.”
15. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Trying to discover something extremely difficult or nearly impossible.
In a Sentence: “Finding the lost earring in the sand was like finding a needle in a haystack.”
16. Learned the hard way
Meaning: Gaining knowledge through personal experience, often involving difficulties or mistakes.
In a Sentence: “She learned the hard way that procrastination leads to missed deadlines.”
17. Wise as an owl
Meaning: Being exceptionally wise or knowledgeable.
In a Sentence: “Grandma is as wise as an owl; her advice is always valuable.”
18. Knowledge is a double-edged sword
Meaning: Knowledge can be used for both good and bad purposes, bringing both benefits and risks.
In a Sentence: “In the world of technology, knowledge is a double-edged sword; it can be used to create or harm.”
19. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Meaning: Having limited knowledge about something can lead to overconfidence and mistakes.
In a Sentence: “His brief research on the topic gave him a false sense of expertise; a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
20. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: It can be challenging to change someone’s established habits or teach them new things, especially as they get older.
In a Sentence: “My grandfather refuses to use smartphones; you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
21. Fountain of wisdom
Meaning: Someone who possesses a deep understanding and wise insights.
In a Sentence: “Our history teacher is a fountain of wisdom, sharing fascinating stories about the past.”
22. Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it
Meaning: While knowledge is valuable, applying it through practice is essential for mastery.
In a Sentence: “Learning to play the piano is a journey; knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.”
23. Ignorance is bliss
Meaning: Sometimes, not knowing about certain things can lead to a happier, simpler life.
In a Sentence: “She chose not to read the news because, for her, ignorance is bliss.”
24. In the dark
Meaning: Being uninformed or unaware of something.
In a Sentence: “I’m completely in the dark about the surprise party; no one will tell me anything.”
25. Not have a clue
Meaning: To be completely unaware or ignorant about something.
In a Sentence: “When it comes to fixing cars, I don’t have a clue; I leave it to the experts.”
26. Street smarts
Meaning: Practical knowledge gained through real-life experiences, especially in urban or everyday situations.
In a Sentence: “Having street smarts is essential for navigating the city safely.”
27. Teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: It is possible to teach someone, even if they are older, as long as they are willing to learn.
In a Sentence: “She may be in her 50s, but she’s eager to learn new skills; you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Here are 10 quiz questions related to the idioms about “knowledge” discussed in the article:
Quiz 1:
- What does the idiom “Knowledge is power” mean?
- a) Knowledge is a physical force.
- b) Having knowledge empowers you in life.
- c) Power is knowledge.
Quiz 2:
- What does the expression “A wealth of knowledge” imply?
- a) Having a lot of money.
- b) Having a large amount of information and wisdom.
- c) A wealthy person is knowledgeable.
Quiz 3:
- What is the meaning of the idiom “Like finding a needle in a haystack”?
- a) Finding a needle is easy.
- b) Trying to discover something extremely difficult or nearly impossible.
- c) Needles are usually found in haystacks.
Quiz 4:
- Which idiom suggests that “Knowledge can be used for both good and bad purposes”?
- a) Knowledge is power.
- b) Knowledge is a two-edged sword.
- c) Knowledge is like a candle’s light.
Quiz 5:
- What does the expression “Put two and two together” mean?
- a) Add two and two to get four.
- b) Draw logical conclusions based on available information.
- c) Combine two unrelated things.
Quiz 6:
- Which idiom means “Someone with a vast amount of knowledge and facts”?
- a) A wealth of knowledge.
- b) Brain like a sponge.
- c) A walking encyclopedia.
Quiz 7:
- What does the idiom “In the know” imply?
- a) Being well-informed about a particular topic or situation.
- b) Being out of touch with the world.
- c) Not knowing anything.
Quiz 8:
- What is the meaning of the idiom “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks”?
- a) Older dogs are better learners.
- b) It’s impossible to teach someone new things if they are unwilling.
- c) Dogs are always open to learning new tricks.
Quiz 9:
- Which idiom signifies “To ask someone for their thoughts or expertise on a specific subject”?
- a) Brain like a sponge.
- b) Pick someone’s brain.
- c) Knowledge is power.
Quiz 10:
- What does the expression “Learned the hard way” mean?
- a) Learning something in an easy way.
- b) Gaining knowledge through personal experience, often involving difficulties or mistakes.
- c) Avoiding mistakes while learning.
Answers:
- b) Having knowledge empowers you in life.
- b) Having a large amount of information and wisdom.
- b) Trying to discover something extremely difficult or nearly impossible.
- b) Knowledge is a two-edged sword.
- b) Draw logical conclusions based on available information.
- c) A walking encyclopedia.
- a) Being well-informed about a particular topic or situation.
- b) It’s impossible to teach someone new things if they are unwilling.
- b) Pick someone’s brain.
- b) Gaining knowledge through personal experience, often involving difficulties or mistakes.
Conclusion
These idioms about “knowledge” reflect the diverse ways in which we perceive learning, wisdom, and understanding. They remind us that knowledge is not just about facts but also about how we apply and share what we know.