know something or someone for what it/he/she is

idiom

: to understand what something or someone truly is
Now I know them for what they are—liars.
before scientists knew the disease for what it is—a virus

Dictionary Entries Near know something or someone for what it/he/she is

Cite this Entry

“Know something or someone for what it/he/she is.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know%20something%20or%20someone%20for%20what%20it%2Fhe%2Fshe%20is. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!