not know the meaning of the word

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not know the meaning of the word

To be completely without the particular quality, trait, or characteristic that is being described. Integrity? Ha! John doesn't know the meaning of the word! Oh please, Janet, you don't know the meaning of the word "poor."
See also: know, meaning, not, of, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not know the meaning of the word

If you mention a word and say that someone doesn't know the meaning of the word, you mean that they do not have a particular quality or have never done or experienced a particular thing. Love? He doesn't know the meaning of the word! Ruthie was an optimist; she didn't even know the meaning of the word depression. Note: Nouns such as phrase and term are sometimes used instead of word. Patrick doesn't know the meaning of the phrase `speed limit'.
See also: know, meaning, not, of, word
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

not know the meaning of the word

behave as if unaware of the concept referred to or implied. informal
See also: know, meaning, not, of, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

not know the ˈmeaning of the word

(disapproving) not have enough experience of something to understand what it really is; not be capable of really understanding something: Love? He doesn’t know the meaning of the word. ♢ They talk about justice, but they don’t know the meaning of the word.
See also: know, meaning, not, of, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
Yesterday we learned they don't know the meaning of the word, let alone show it.
Inviting vultures to swoop again is just unforgivable
But who can blame him for losing his rag with a brood of kids who don't know the meaning of the word boundary?
Spare the Brad, spoil the child
But raising kids with no discipline can cause terrible behaviour problems and it sounds like your relative's youngsters don't know the meaning of the word NO!
Dear Rachael: ROW OVER THREAT TO SMACK RELATIVE'S KID
Teachers don't know the meaning of the word. The problem is far too many of them have never been out of a classroom since they started primary school.
Vent your spleen
In this soporific atmosphere, the "ping" of press releases arriving is the only break in the general tedium, as some highly enthusiastic AMs, who don't know the meaning of the word holiday keep churning out useful information.
Standards slip; Assembly Westgate
He had no idea of the worry I had been through because until you have children of your own you don't know the meaning of the word.
DORINDA McCANN; PEOPLE
You don't know the meaning of the word cold!' Or if you were a bit sad, and someone said, 'Has your whole family died in a freak chandelier-cleaning accident?
Notebook
FEAR - Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo have shown they don't know the meaning of the word.
Steve Claridge: Roon and Ron turn it on while bosses are running scared
hell How get in Yes, some children are horribly naughty thanks to parents who don't know the meaning of the word discipline.
Those who can't teach... humiliate
THEY think they're suffering a drought down here in Hoylake but they don't know the meaning of the word. They really don't.
Golf: PUTTING CAN DROPME IN IT; Monty swears he'll be in contention to finally break Major duck if putts start to fall at Hoylake THE OPEN 2006
Pop stars and models, unless they're juggling work with taking care of a young family, don't know the meaning of the word exhausted.
Helen Carroll's column: Why I can't shed a tear for whinger Spice Geri
Francis Owens wrote: "I'd say shame on the HSE, but they don't know the meaning of the word."
furious readers demand action after deaths
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