The spelling of the phrase "knew what makes tick" can be explained through International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The sound of the word "knew" is transcribed as /nju:/ with the phoneme /n/ followed by the diphthong /ju:/, which represents the vowel sounds of "ee" and "oo" combined. "What" is pronounced as /wɒt/ with the initial consonant cluster /hw/ reduced to just /w/. "Makes" is spelled as /meɪks/ with the diphthong /eɪ/ representing the vowel sounds of "ay" and /ks/ as the consonant cluster at the end. Lastly, "tick" is transcribed as /tɪk/ with the vowel sound /ɪ/ representing the sound "i".
"Knew what makes tick" is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who fully understands the motivations, desires, or inner workings of another person or a particular subject. It implies that the person has a deep insight into what drives someone's behavior or what factors are essential to the functioning or success of a given situation.
The phrase "knew what makes tick" can also refer to having a profound understanding of the fundamental principles or elements that underlie the effectiveness or efficacy of something. This could be a system, a process, a theory, or any other complex construct. It suggests that the individual possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the key components or mechanisms that contribute to the optimal functioning or achievement of a desired outcome.
Furthermore, this expression can be applied to interpersonal relationships, indicating that someone has an acute awareness or intuition regarding the likes, interests, or quirks of another individual. It suggests that the person not only comprehends the surface-level preferences or behaviors but also grasps the deeper motivations or reasons behind them.
In summary, "knew what makes tick" signifies a profound understanding of the underlying factors or elements contributing to the functionality, success, or behavior of a person, subject, or situation. It implies a level of knowledge that goes beyond the superficial, enabling the person to have a keen insight into the intricate workings or motivations involved.