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onion

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a lonely little petunia in an onion patch

One who is out of place among those one finds unpleasant, uncouth, or overly aggressive. Taken from a 1946 song of the same name by Johnny Kimano, Billy Faber, and Maurie Hartmann. I'm feeling really uncomfortable in this rowdy sports bar, like a lonely little petunia in an onion patch.

See also: little, lonely, onion, patch

know one's stuff

 and know one's onions

to know what one is expected to know. I know my stuff. I can do my job. She can't handle the assignment. She doesn't know her onions.

See also: know, stuff

know your stuff

to know a lot about a subject or be an expert at doing something When it comes to restoring grand pianos, he really knows his stuff.

See also: know, stuff

know your onions

  (British & Australian humorous)

to know a lot about a particular subject That car salesman certainly knew his onions, didn't he?

See also: know, onion

know your stuff

  (informal)

to know a lot about a subject, or to be very good at doing something When it comes to restoring grand pianos, Mr Morley really knows his stuff.

See also: know, stuff

know one's stuff

Also, know one's onions. Be experienced or knowledgeable in one's field or in the matter at hand. For example, Patrice knows her stuff when it comes to Mexican history, or We need a handyman who knows his onions. The allusion in the variant is unclear. [First half of 1900s]

See also: know, stuff