to know the score

to understand how things work, not to be naive about things

In the song "New York City Girl", the singer tells the New York City Girl that "you should know the score by now". Meaning she shouldn't be so naive. She shouldn't think that love is going to be like the Broadway shows, i.e fairy tale like. She's had enough bad experiences to know better, "to know the score by now"!

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know the score

The ability to clearly understand a situation, usually due to wisdom gained from personal experience.

The contractor estimated it will take two days to finish the job. But I know the score. It will actually take two weeks.

know the score

The ability to recognize and communicate something being out of whack or off balance.

When your boss is trying to get you to do something outside of your job description and they are not paying you for the additional work... you should reply...
"Look (insert boss' name here) - I know the score. I know what's what. I'm not doing that TPS report unless you either a) pay me more, or b) lick my asshole first, literally... get down there and lick my asshole and recognize what it feels like to be scum... ok? good talk. let me get back to what I was doing before you interrupted."

Used in a sentence:
"Eh... they can ask all they want... I'm not working late tomorrow night. They know the score... I don't need to tell them."

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you know the score

this term is used to tell someone they know what’s happening or another way of saying hello, typically used in britain

brit 1: wagwan, listen to this tune

brit 2: mad tune

brit 1: you know the score pal