Phrase guide

know one's place

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To understand one's rank or status and behave accordingly; to act humbly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stay in one's lane

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To understand one's rank or status and behave accordingly; to act humbly.

To avoid intermixing and interacting with people of other races.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: sometimes

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stay in one's lane

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: tudja a helyét — act humbly according to one's rank
  • Indonesian: tahu diri — act humbly according to one's rank
  • Italian: saper stare al proprio posto — act humbly according to one's rank
  • Japanese: 自分の立場をわきまえる (jibun no tachiba wo wakimaeru) — act humbly according to one's rank
  • Russian: знать своё ме́сто (znatʹ svojó mésto) — act humbly according to one's rank