ENGLISH
REFERENCE

know someone in the biblical sense

idiom
Meaning

To have sex with someone.


Origin

disputed origin

From the use of know in the Bible. Some Bible translations, such as the King James Version, translate the Hebrew word יָדַע (yādaʿ) as know even in sexual contexts, giving rise to lines like “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived.”

Examples
SIMPLE

They have known each other in the biblical sense for years.

CONTEXTUAL

The gossip column hinted that the two actors had known each other in the biblical sense during the filming of their latest movie.

COMPLEX

The historical text suggests that the king had known the queen in the biblical sense long before their official marriage ceremony took place.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  3. 03

    as you know

    as it is already known.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

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

  5. 05

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  6. 06

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  7. 07

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

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