like the back of one's hand

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does like the back of one's hand mean? In what situations is like the back of one's hand used?

Meaning of "like the back of one's hand"

Meaning

The phrase “like the back of one’s hand” is an idiomatic expression used to denote something that a person is very familiar with. It suggests a level of knowledge and understanding that is deep and comprehensive, and could even be called intimate. This is a phrase that can be used to talk about physical places, as well as more abstract concepts, such as the ins and outs of a particular activity or profession.

Etymology

The expression “like the back of one’s hand” is believed to have originated in England in the late 16th or early 17th century. The phrase is thought to have been derived from the proverb “to know one’s way about as if one had the palms of their hands on the wall.” This proverb referred to the idea of navigation; for example, it was common for people to navigate through a building by feeling the walls with the palms of their hand, as if they knew the layout of the building like the back of their hand. Over time, the phrase was shortened to “like the back of one’s hand.”

Usage

This expression is frequently used in informal contexts and is most commonly heard in everyday conversation. It can be used to emphasize the level of knowledge and familiarity a person has with a subject, particularly when a situation or location needs no additional explanation. Additionally, this expression can be used to show that a person has a lot of experience or in-depth knowledge of something.

Example Sentences

• My grandfather knows this town like the back of his hand - he's lived here most of his life.
• I'm an electrician, and I know my way around wiring like the back of my hand.
• After working at the restaurant for five years, I know the menu like the back of my hand.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.