Know forwards and backwards Meaning in English
expression
ˈnoʊ/ /ˈfɔɹwɝdz/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈbækwɝdz
NOH FOR-wurdz and/uhnd BAK-wurdz
nˈəʊ/ /fˈɔːwədz/ /ˈænd/ /bˈækwədz
noh FAW-uhdz and BAK-wuhdz
Definition
To know something completely and in detail; to have memorized or mastered it very well.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal and emphatic idiom mainly used for things you have mastered (e.g., facts, instructions, processes). Common with 'I' or 'you' as subject. Not used for general acquaintance; use it for situations needing strong mastery or memorization.
Spanish: saberse de memoria - conocer perfectamentePortuguese (BR): saber de cor e salteado - conhecer perfeitamentePortuguese (PT): saber de cor e salteado - conhecer perfeitamenteChinese (Simplified): 烂熟于心 - 非常熟悉Chinese (Traditional): 爛熟於心 - 非常熟悉Hindi: रट्टा मारना - पूरी तरह जाननाArabic: يحفظ عن ظهر قلب - يعرف بشكل تامBengali: মুখস্থ জানা - পুরোপুরি জানাRussian: знать вдоль и поперёкJapanese: 完璧に知っているVietnamese: biết rõ như lòng bàn tayKorean: 완벽하게 알고 있다 - 꿰뚫고 있다Turkish: ezbere bilmek - çok iyi bilmekUrdu: زبانی یاد ہونا - اچھی طرح جانناIndonesian: hafal di luar kepala - sangat memahami
Example Sentences
I know this song forwards and backwards.
basic
She knows the rules forwards and backwards.
basic
Do you know the answer forwards and backwards?
basic
He knows his speech forwards and backwards, so he isn't nervous at all.
natural
You can ask her anything about the project—she knows it forwards and backwards.
natural
By the end of training, you'll know this process forwards and backwards.
natural