English Reference
Idiom idiom

know someone from Adam


To know or recognize someone at all.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I do not know him from Adam.

CONTEXTUAL

The man introduced himself at the party, but I honestly did not know him from Adam.

COMPLEX

Although the stranger claimed to be an old friend, I did not know him from Adam and felt quite suspicious of his motives.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Adam Tiler

    A pickpocket's accomplice; the person who takes the goods a pickpocket steals and leaves with them.

  2. 02

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  3. 03

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  4. 04

    as you know

    as it is already known.

  5. 05

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  6. 06

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  7. 07

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  8. 08

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

Last updated August 10, 2026