Street Smarts.
English
idiom
Practical knowledge gained through real-life experience.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Practical knowledge gained through real-life experience.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Practical knowledge and cleverness gained through real-life experience, especially in tough situations.
Someone with street smarts knows how to read people and handle difficult situations without relying on formal education.
It's often contrasted with book smarts.
"Common Sense"
—
Basic practical judgment everyone is expected to have, not from tough experience
"Book Smarts"
—
Academic intelligence and formal knowledge — the direct opposite of street smarts
"Street Smarts"
—
Practical real-world cleverness gained through experience, not formal education
This candidate didn't go to a top school, but her street smarts are impressive.
Let's meet her — that's often what the job actually needs.
How does she always know when someone is being fake?
Pure street smarts — she reads people instantly.
Do you think he'll manage okay in that city?
Absolutely — he's got street smarts. He'll figure it out.
