know beans about
verb1
US, In negative constructions To know something, even if only a little, about.
- But the great artist doesn't know "beans" about driving oxen. He has put his driver on the "off" side of the yoke.1881 February 7, “Notes of the Fine Arts”, in New York Times, retrieved 22 Sep 2009, page 3:
- If this self-styled expert in the field of human relations knew beans about handling people he'd get more work out of the women and fewer tears.1963 March 12, “Dear Ann Landers”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 22 Sep 2009, page 17:
1 more example
- If wealth managers actually knew beans about anything, they would be in asset management.2008 July 14, Charles Paikert, “Ken Fisher”, in InvestmentNews, retrieved 22 Sep 2009:
- His primary opponent, Raphael Herman, is a real estate salesman who frankly admits he knows beans about insurance.1986 August 22, “Editorial: The Cabinet Races”, in Gainesville Sun, retrieved 22 Sep 2009, page 18A:
- Related terms
- jack shit