Like the back of your hand

Saturday, 2025-2-1, Phrase: Like the back of your hand

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Phrase: Like the back of your hand

Have you ever heard someone say they know something like the back of their hand?


This phrase means that a person knows something very well, almost perfectly.

It suggests a deep understanding or familiarity with a topic or area.


For example, someone who has lived in a city for many years could say they know it like the back of their hand.

Using this phrase in conversation can add a colourful touch to your speech.

Let’s say you are talking about a person who is an expert in cooking.

You might say, “She knows her way around the kitchen like the back of her hand,” meaning she understands cooking very well.

Similarly, when someone is skilled at chess, you could say they know the moves like the back of their hand.

This phrase can also be used to describe knowledge of places.

For instance, think about your childhood.

You may have moved away decades ago and no longer live in the neighbourhood where you spent your childhood, but if you go back, you know the streets like the back of your hand.

I bet, with little effort, you can close your eyes right now and retrace your steps from your home to your elementary school.

In daily life, using like the back of your hand indicates you have English langauge knowledge and skills.

It’s a great way to express that you feel at ease with something because of your experience.

You might hear it in conversations about jobs, hobbies, or even studying.

So, remember to use like the back of your hand next time you want to express your expertise or comfort with something.

It’s a common expression that will impress others and convey confidence!


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).  

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 75.  

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 




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