known

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also known as

Known by another name or description. Often abbreviated "AKA" or "a.k.a." both in speech and in writing. The Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," came into effect in 2014.

(if the) truth be known

I must admit; to be honest; in actuality. Truth be known, even though I majored in English literature, I've never read anything by Hemingway! I know I said I wanted to go out to the bars tonight, but if the truth be known, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.

let it be known

1. To make something public knowledge. She's letting it be known that she is single and ready to start dating again.

2. An expression used to assert that something is true, especially in the face of criticism or distrust. I realize that many people here believe that my company has exploited its employees, but let it be known that we have never in our 50-year history done anything that would knowingly cause harm to our workers.

for (a/some) reason(s) best known to (oneself)

For strange or perplexing reasons that the speaker cannot understand. For reasons best known to herself, Mom refuses to wear her glasses and goes around squinting at everything instead.

make it known

To make something public knowledge. She's making it be known that she is single and ready to start dating again. We must make it known that our company had no involvement in the scandal.

make (oneself) known (to someone)

To introduce oneself (to someone); to make one's existence known (to someone). You should make yourself known to the consulate as soon as you arrive in the country. We're trying to make ourselves known to the leaders of the tech industry in the hopes of securing a sizable investment. He's been making himself known in various charities around the city.

if the truth were known

Prov. if people knew how something really was, instead of how it appears to be. If the truth were known, people wouldn't shop at that store. Its owners aren't as honest as they seem. Sam: You're always polite to Fred, but you don't really like him, do you? Alan: Well, no, if the truth were known.

knew it was coming

and (had) known it was coming

to have expected in advance that something was to happen. I shouldn't act surprised. I knew it was coming. It's his own fault. He should have known it was coming.

known fact

something that is generally recognized as a fact. That grass is green is a known fact. It is a known fact that John was in Chicago on the night of the murder.

known quantity

someone whose character, personality, and behavior are recognized and understood. We need not worry about how John will behave. He is a known quantity. Lisa is a known quantity and I am sure she will not surprise us by voting with the opposition.

man is known by the company he keeps

Prov. A person tends to associate with people who are like him or her. Son, when you go away to school, spend your time with serious people; don't hang around with people who go to parties all the time. A man is known by the company he keeps. If you want to know what kind of person George is, look at his friends. A man is known by the company he keeps.

tree is known by its fruit

Prov. People judge your character by what you do. (Biblical.) The politician may say she believes in more spending on child care, but the tree is known by its fruit; she hasn't voted for a single measure that would help.

for reasons best known to himself (or herself, etc.)

used when recounting someone's behaviour to suggest that it is puzzling or perverse. chiefly humorous

for a/some reason/reasons best known to himˈself, herˈself, etc.

(humorous) for a reason or reasons which other people find hard to understand: For reasons best known to himself, he wears two pairs of socks.

have seen/known better ˈdays

be in a worse condition than in the past: That jacket of yours has seen better days — isn’t it time you bought a new one?

See also: better, days, have, known, seen

let it be ˈknown/make it ˈknown that...

(formal) make sure that people are informed about something, especially by getting somebody else to tell them: The President has let it be known that he does not intend to run for election again.

make yourself ˈknown to somebody

introduce yourself to somebody: I made myself known to the hotel manager.

if (the) ˌtruth be ˈknown/ˈtold

used to tell somebody the true facts about a situation, especially when these are not known by other people: None of the students really liked the new teacher. In fact, if the truth be told, everyone was rather afraid of him.