street smarts

noun Informal.
shrewd awareness of how to survive or succeed in any situation, especially as a result of living or working in a difficult environment, as a city ghetto neighborhood.

Origin:
1970–75

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Main Entry:  street smarts
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  See street savvy
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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00:10
Street smarts is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Slang Dictionary

street smarts definition


  1. n.
    the knowledge and ability to survive on the urban street. : If you don't have street smarts, you won't last long out there.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
It was there he developed his street smarts and survival skills.
The beach is among the safer spots in the city, but travelers are still advised
  to use their street smarts, especially at night.
He brings a unique blend of musical skills, street smarts and cultural cachet
  to everything he touches.
Get your career, bank account or home situation in order while your street
  smarts are in high gear.
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