Nota: La traducción de esta entrada está actualmente en revisión de calidad, por lo que parte del contenido se muestra temporalmente solo en inglés.
Esta entrada aún no se ha traducido a tu idioma, así que se muestra el original a continuación.
worldly-wise
This term describes a specific blend of experience and pragmatism. It suggests a person who is not naive and cannot be easily deceived because they understand the hidden motives and complexities of human behavior. While it can be a compliment regarding one's competence, it often carries a subtle hint of cynicism, implying that the person has lost some innocence in exchange for their knowledge.
In terms of register, it is more descriptive and slightly more formal than calling someone "street-smart," though the two are closely related. While "street-smart" often refers to urban survival and quick thinking, "worldly-wise" suggests a broader, more sophisticated understanding of social hierarchies and global life experiences.
Meanings
Examples
She is far too worldly-wise to believe his empty promises.
You need to be more worldly-wise if you want to survive in this industry.
He looked like a naive student, but he was actually quite worldly-wise.
I wish I had been more worldly-wise when I first started traveling alone.
The detective was worldly-wise enough to spot the lie immediately.
Maybe she is just too worldly-wise for her own good.
He has become worldly-wise after years of dealing with corrupt politicians.
Stop acting so innocent; we both know you are worldly-wise.