ENGLISH
REFERENCE

been there, done that

idiom
Meaning

An assertion that the speaker has personal experience or knowledge of a particular place or topic and is not too keen on revisiting or redoing it again.


Origin

disputed origin

Ellipsis for "I have been there and have done that".

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't suggest a beach trip; I've been there, done that.

CONTEXTUAL

My friends want to visit the same museum again, but I told them I've been there, done that.

COMPLEX

While the younger travelers were eager to explore the crowded city center, the seasoned explorer simply sighed, having been there, done that many times before.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all there

    Mentally competent; not absent-minded or insane.

  2. 02

    as if there were no tomorrow

    To an excessive degree, oftentimes with little to no regard to future consequences; desperately; recklessly or wantonly; frantically; very quickly or very much.

  3. 03

    be there

    To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.

  4. 04

    been there, done that, bought the T-shirt

    Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.

  5. 05

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  6. 06

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

  7. 07

    get there

    To succeed after a lengthy attempt.

  8. 08

    here, there and everywhere

    In or to many different places; all over the place.

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