know one's place
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English
[edit]Verb
[edit]know one's place (third-person singular simple present knows one's place, present participle knowing one's place, simple past knew one's place, past participle known one's place)
- To understand one's rank or status and behave accordingly; to act humbly.
- 1871 September 1, John Ruskin, “Letter IX”, in Fors Clavigera. Letters to the Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain, volume I, Orpington, Kent: George Allen, →OCLC, page 7:
- Had he been taught early and thoroughly to know his place, and be content with his faculty, he would have been one of the happiest and most serviceable of men.
- 2007 September 25, Bungie, Halo 3, Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox 360, level/area: Terminal Five (Heroic):
- Your civilization has seen its final days. You will know your place.
Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]act humbly according to one's rank
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