have someone's number

The idiom "have someone's number" is commonly used to indicate a deep understanding of another person's character or motives.

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πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal)To understand someone's true character or intentions well enough to predict their actions.

Example

  • I knew she was lying; I have her number.
  • You can't fool me, I've got your number.

B2General

(informal)To be aware of someone's weaknesses, making it easy to manipulate or outsmart them.

Example

  • He thought he could trick me, but I have his number.
  • They tried to cheat, but the teacher had their number.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "have someone's number":

call someone's numbertake a numbertelephone numbercontact numberhave one's name onwrong numbergive someone a ringhave someone's head