27 Idioms for Knowledge


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.


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Created by Dr. Julia Rossi

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What is a simile?

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Which of the following is a metaphor?

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What is an idiom?

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What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

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Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

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What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

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“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

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The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

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What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

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Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

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“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

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Now, let’s explore a list of idioms related to “knowledge” and unveil their true meanings:

IdiomMeaningExample Sentence
A wealth of knowledgeHaving a large amount of information and wisdom.“Our librarian is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to classic literature.”
Knowledge is powerKnowledge empowers you in life.“Education is the key to success; knowledge is power.”
The more you know, the more you realize you don’t knowAs 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 knowledgeSomeone with an extensive understanding of various topics.“My grandfather, with his years of experience, is a fountain of knowledge about gardening.”
A walking encyclopediaSomeone 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 spongeSomeone who quickly absorbs new information.“During his language immersion program, his brain was like a sponge, picking up words and phrases effortlessly.”
In the knowWell-informed about a particular topic or situation.“Only those in the know were aware of the upcoming product launch.”
Pick someone’s brainTo 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 ropesExperienced 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 swordKnowledge 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 sealsSomething 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 lightKnowledge helps illuminate the darkness of ignorance.“Education and reading books are like a candle’s light in the darkness of ignorance.”
Know-it-allSomeone 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 togetherTo 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 haystackTrying 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 wayGaining knowledge through personal experience, often involving difficulties or mistakes.“She learned the hard way that procrastination leads to missed deadlines.”
Wise as an owlExceptionally wise or knowledgeable.“Grandma is as wise as an owl; her advice is always valuable.”
Knowledge is a double-edged swordKnowledge 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 thingLimited 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 tricksIt 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 wisdomSomeone 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 itWhile 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 blissNot 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 darkBeing uninformed or unaware of something.“I’m completely in the dark about the surprise party; no one will tell me anything.”
Not have a clueTo 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 smartsPractical 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 tricksIt 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

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:

  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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. b) Having knowledge empowers you in life.
  2. b) Having a large amount of information and wisdom.
  3. b) Trying to discover something extremely difficult or nearly impossible.
  4. b) Knowledge is a two-edged sword.
  5. b) Draw logical conclusions based on available information.
  6. c) A walking encyclopedia.
  7. a) Being well-informed about a particular topic or situation.
  8. b) It’s impossible to teach someone new things if they are unwilling.
  9. b) Pick someone’s brain.
  10. 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.

Cite this entry:

Phrasesdirectory.com. “,” Retrieved from Phrases Directory – Accessed

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