Last Updated：2025/11/28

(idiomatic) To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.

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know which end is up

Source Word

know which end is up

Verb

idiomatic

(idiomatic) To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.

Japanese Meaning

物事の本質や状況を正しく把握し、適切な判断ができる。 / 常識を備えている。 / 判断力があり、現実を的確に認識している。

When hiring new managers, we make sure they know which end is up before giving them full responsibility.

新しい管理職を採用するときは、全面的な責任を与える前に、物事を正しく判断できるかどうかを確認します。

Sense（1）

(idiomatic) To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation.

He was too stoned to know which end was up.

knows which end is up

（ present singular third-person ）

knowing which end is up

（ participle present ）

knew which end is up

（ past ）

known which end is up

（ participle past ）