I'm Wise to You

Illustration in fabric of an owl's face on a white background.  Text on ribbon coming off the lower right side of button.

To be wise to (someone or something) is defined as the act of being fully aware or cognizant of someone or something. In many cases, this phrase is used to expose or acknowledge malicious or mischievous intent. An owl has been a symbol for wisdom since ancient Greece. According to mythology, an owl sat on the blind side of the goddess Athena so she could see the whole truth. The owl correlation to wisdom has been passed on through the years perpetuating the symbol in such works as King Arthur legend Merlin's owl Archimedes or Harry Potter's owl Hedwig.