The phrase "if you know what I mean" is used to suggest that the listener understands the underlying meaning, insinuation, or implication of what the speaker is saying, often without explicitly stating it. It implies that the person listening should grasp the hinted or unsaid message and is commonly used to confirm that understanding or agreement. It can also be a friendly way to check if the listener follows or agrees, making the conversation more casual and less formal than directly asking "Do you understand?" or "Do you agree?".
Additionally, "if you know what I mean" is sometimes used to allude to something sensitive, suggestive, or not stated openly, relying on the shared understanding between speaker and listener.
There is also a well-known song titled "If You Know What I Mean" by Neil Diamond, which uses the phrase in a lyrical and emotional context, but the common idiomatic usage remains about implying or hinting at something not directly expressed.
