B2idiomstudyIELTS-friendly
know something inside out
USUK
to know every detail of a subject, place or system very well
Used about subjects, places, systems and people. American English often says 'know something inside and out'.
In context
Read the textbook again and again until you know it inside out.
A good teacher knows the subject inside out and can explain it simply.
Common mistake
Incorrect: I know Hanoi like the palm of my hand.
Correct: I know Hanoi inside out. / I know Hanoi like the back of my hand.
More idioms about study
- a steep learning curvea situation where you must learn a lot of new things very quickly
- get the hang ofto learn how to do something, especially after some practice
- get your head aroundto manage to understand something that is complicated or surprising
- hit the booksto start studying hard, especially before an exam
- it's not rocket scienceused to say that something is not difficult to understand or do