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Definition 2024


know_one's_ass_from_a_hole_in_the_ground

know one's ass from a hole in the ground

English

Alternative forms

Verb

know one's ass from a hole in the ground

  1. (idiomatic, vulgar) To have an adequate level of knowledge or skill; to understand what one is doing or talking about.
    • 2004, David Drake, The Reaches, ISBN 9780743471770, (Google preview):
      "Why are you so sure and they aren't?" the landsman said. . . .
      "Because Mr. Ricimer knows his ass from a hole in the ground, sir."
    • 2005 June 12, Gary M. Pomerantz, "First Chapter: Wilt, 1962," New York Times (retrieved 26 July 2014):
      Foxx gave a comic's pause. "Just goes to show you, don't it? Some folks don't know their ass from a hole in the ground."
    • 2006 Dec. 5, David Kiley, "Chrysler "Whoops" Ads Part of Important New Genre," Bloomberg (retrieved 23 Sep 2016):
      In the unofficial ad, the facilitator says about the man whose wife will be replaced, “This guy wouldn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground.”

Usage notes

  • Almost always used in negative constructions to describe someone's ignorance or stupidity, such as: He doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

Synonyms