be in the know

USAGE SUMMARY

"be in the know" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that being informed about something is important. For example, "If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it's important to be in the know about current trends in your industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I want to be in the know.

Independent

I was excited to finally be in the know.

Stanford University

But corporate executives are supposed to be "in the know".

The Economist

Now everybody seems to be in the know.

The New Yorker

To be known is to be in the know.

Harvard Business Review

"I should be in the know, but I'm not".

The New York Times - Sports

He maintains that everybody should be in the know.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

CBS: Your reservation process seems pretty serious, but in a fun, have-to-be-in-the-know kind of way.

Huffington Post

"You kind of have to be in-the-know," Mr. Messina said.

The New York Times

If you do not wish to be in-the-know about "Jeopardy!" Mensa boy Jennings, turn the page.

The Washington Post

By the end of each meeting, your team should be in-the-know and have their key concerns or questions addressed.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in the know" when you want to emphasize the importance of being informed about a particular subject or situation. It's particularly effective when highlighting exclusive or insider knowledge.

Common error

While "be in the know" is widely understood, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "be well-informed" or "possess current knowledge" when writing reports or scholarly articles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in the know" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that someone is well-informed or has access to information, often of a privileged or insider nature. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase emphasizes the importance of being informed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in the know" is a common and generally accepted idiom signifying that one is well-informed or possesses insider knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent usage across news, media, and even academic contexts speaks to its versatility and widespread understanding. While not overly formal, it’s appropriate for many situations, though more formal options like "be well-informed" might be preferred in certain professional contexts. To make sure that you don't sound repetitive, alternatives like "be aware", or "be up-to-date" can also prove useful. Understanding these nuances will help you wield the phrase effectively in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be well-informed

Stresses the quality and depth of information possessed, suitable for more formal contexts.

be informed

Focuses on the state of having information, differing slightly in emphasizing the result of acquiring knowledge.

have knowledge of

Directly states possession of information, less idiomatic than the original phrase.

be aware

Highlights consciousness and perception of information, offering a broader scope than just possessing knowledge.

be up-to-date

Emphasizes having the latest information, suitable when currency of knowledge is important.

be clued in

Conveys a sense of being informed about something that others might not be, more informal.

have inside information

Suggests exclusive or privileged knowledge, implying access to information not widely available.

be privy to

Indicates being granted access to confidential or private information, more formal in tone.

be acquainted with

Focuses on familiarity and understanding of a subject, rather than just possessing information.

be conversant with

Highlights the ability to discuss a topic knowledgeably, implying a deeper understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "be in the know" in a sentence?

You can use "be in the know" to indicate that someone has information about something, like "If you want to succeed in this industry, you need to "be in the know" about the latest trends".

What does it mean to "be in the know"?

To "be in the know" means to have information that is not widely known, or to be aware of the latest developments in a particular area.

What's a more formal way to say "be in the know"?

Alternatives to "be in the know" for more formal contexts include "be well-informed", "be knowledgeable", or "be abreast of".

How does "be in the know" differ from "have inside information"?

"Be in the know" generally refers to being aware of current events or trends, while "have inside information" implies possessing confidential or exclusive knowledge that is not generally available.