E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Savoir Faire (French).
Ready wit; skill in getting out of a scrape; hence “Vivre de son savoir-faire,” to live by one’s wits; “Avoir du savoir-faire,” to be up to snuff, to know a thing or two.
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“He had great confidence in his savoir-faire.”—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering, chap. xxxiv.
