Expertise: English Vocabulary List

to learn how something works or how to use it

"I got the hang of it."

"After a few weeks, I finally got the hang of using the new software."

to be very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular field of work

"My mechanic really knows his stuff."

"Our history teacher really knows her stuff and can answer any question about ancient Rome perfectly."

to show or teach someone how a particular job or task is done

"Show me the ropes."

"On my first day at work, my colleague kindly showed me the ropes and explained how everything worked."

to have a good knowledge or understanding about how to do something or how something works

"He knows the ropes."

"After working here for ten years, she really knows the ropes and can handle any problem that comes her way."

to become acquainted with or knowledgeable about how to do a certain job or task

"Learn the ropes quickly."

"It takes about three months for a new employee to learn the ropes at this company."

(of a person) having extensive knowledge about or a lot of experience in a particular activity or job

"He is an old hand."

"As an old hand in the kitchen, she could prepare a gourmet meal with minimal ingredients."

one's ability to find things of a particular type to suit one's needs

"She has a nose for news."

"The investigative journalist has a real nose for uncovering hidden scandals and important stories."

something that one is exceptionally good at

"Public speaking is my suit."

"Public speaking is definitely her strongest suit, and she always impresses everyone at the big meetings."

an expert in a particular field with a great deal of experience

"He is a past master."

"He is a past master at negotiation and can get anyone to agree to his terms."

to start something, such as an activity, field of study, etc., in an skillful way

"Turn your hand to it."

"The versatile handyman can turn his hand to any job from plumbing to painting."

to produce correct musical sounds by one's voive voice

"She can carry a tune."

"Even though he's tone-deaf, he can still carry a tune when singing in the shower."

a person who is competent in many different tasks

"Dad is a jack of all trades."

"My father is a jack of all trades and can fix anything from a car to a broken washing machine."

used to describe a competent person who performs their job well and is deserving of respect and the compensation they receive

"Worth his salt indeed."

"Any teacher worth their salt would notice a student cheating on an exam."

to have a clear understanding or knowledge of a situation or matter

"Know what is what."

"After working in the restaurant for a week I finally know what is what in the kitchen."

to have a great deal of information regarding a particular subject

"He knows his onions."

"The old gardener knows his onions and gave me excellent advice about growing tomatoes."

to practice or engage in an activity only to maintain a skill or ability

"Keep my hand in."

"The retired musician still practices piano every day to keep his hand in."

a set of techniques that are only shared among members of a particular profession

"Tricks of the trade."

"The experienced chef showed me some tricks of the trade for chopping vegetables more quickly."

to have the ability to play music by listening to it and recreating the sounds and melodies without relying on sheet music or written notation

"He can play by ear."

"She can play any song by ear without reading the music notes on the paper."

to be exceptionally talented and naturally skilled in a particular area

"Van Gogh's ear for music."

"My music teacher has Van Gogh's ear for classical compositions and can identify any composer by listening once."

to have the fundamental knowledge or skills that is required

"Get the basics down."

"Before learning advanced techniques you need to get the basics down perfectly first."

to have a natural talent in dealing with a particular type of people or things

"A way with animals."

"My sister has a way with animals, and every dog in the neighborhood seems to love her immediately."

(of a person) with exceptional skill or talent in a particular area or field, to the point of being considered an example of excellence

"He is of the first water."

"As a chess grandmaster of the first water, his strategic brilliance is unparalleled and widely recognized."