know what it's like

idiom
UK: /nəʊ wɒt ɪts laɪk/
US: /noʊ wʌt ɪts laɪk/

  1. To understand or have experience of something, especially something unpleasant or difficult.

    1. I know what it's like to be alone. [ ] [ ]
    2. Having been through a similar situation, she knows what it's like to feel helpless. [ ] [ ]

  2. To be familiar with a particular feeling or situation because you have experienced it yourself.

    1. They know what it's like to win. [ ] [ ]
    2. After losing their home, they know what it's like to face genuine hardship. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

understand appreciate empathize experience

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "know what it's like" in English means: To understand or have experience of something, especially something unpleasant or difficult., To be familiar with a particular feeling or situation because you have experienced it yourself..

The phonetic transcription of "know what it's like" is /nəʊ wɒt ɪts laɪk/ in British English and /noʊ wʌt ɪts laɪk/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "know what it's like": understand, appreciate, empathize, experience.

Example usage of "know what it's like": "I know what it's like to be alone.". More examples on the page.