Definition & Meaning of "[know] the score"

What is the origin of the idiom "know the score" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "know the score" is not precisely documented, as idiomatic expressions often evolve naturally within a language. However, the phrase is believed to have originated from the world of sports, specifically from the practice of keeping track of the points or scores during a game or competition. Knowing the score in a sporting event meant being aware of the current state of the game and understanding which team or player was leading. Today, this phrase is often used to indicate that someone is informed or knowledgeable about a particular situation or topic. It implies that the person is not easily fooled or misled and understands the reality of a given situation.