at first hand
1
3.5
- idiom
:
de primera mano
- You've had, at first hand, a sample of Lanny's writing voice.
- saw at first hand
- observed at first hand
- learned at first hand
And so I know at first hand that it can, it can definitely help in regards to them kind of things there.
- And so I know at first hand that it can, it can definitely help in regards to them kind of things there.
Examples
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At first hand, there are certainly numerous differences that are negative, but there are also many interesting similarities that can be the subject of creative dialogue.
Academic text (2015) -
I will, in fact, be visiting all of you shortly to see them at first hand.
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Gather information at first hand.
Academic text (1998) -
But even these cannot do as much for students as visits to museums where they learn to read paintings and sculptures at first hand, in their original languages, so to speak.
Academic text (2001) -
Mondlane decided at that time that it was important to accept the Portuguese offer, to get to know the metropole at first hand, learn the language well, and avoid direct confrontation with the Portuguese government.
Academic text (1992) -
For instance, it happened that in July 1987, before I went to Alaska or knew the ecology at first hand, I attended Michael Harner's shaman workshop in Virginia.
Academic text (1992) -
Suggesting that such critical methodologies offer important contributions to daily living beyond the classroom walls, Coles contends that "students need more opportunity for moral and social reflection on the problems that they have seen at first hand."
Academic text (1998) -
She wants to experience the culture at first hand, so she plans to live in Mexico for a year.
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By attending the conference, I was able to hear the latest research findings at first hand.
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He witnessed the event at first hand and can provide details that others only heard about.
Synonyms
∞
1.9
Without any person or thing between you and someone, for example by email
167
3.5
From direct personal experience rather than from someone else
7
4.7
Directly from the person who knows the facts
3
6.0
Directly from the person who knows the facts
Antonyms
78
4.2
In a way that does not say something clearly, often by a hint or through someone else
How Direct
Surface Forms
Morphology
The element 'first' conveys primary/immediate and many languages have an equivalent 'first-hand' construction, so learners can partly infer 'directly/from the original source'. However, the use of 'hand' to mean 'source/possession' is somewhat idiomatic and not a literal composition of the parts, so the exact sense is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without exposure.
Etymology
At first hand may come from the picture of someone handing you news or an object straight into your hand, not through another person. So, it means 'directly from the person who saw or did it'.