have been around: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘have been around’ mean?
The idiom "have been around" means to have a lot of experience or knowledge about something, often implying that one has seen or encountered various situations or people over a long period of time.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "know one's way around" means to be familiar with or knowledgeable about a particular place, task, or subject.
The idiom "know every trick in the book" means to be knowledgeable and experienced in all the methods, techniques, or strategies related to a particular subject or activity.
The idiom "know beans about" means to have little or no knowledge about a particular subject or topic.
The idiom "know beans about" is common in American English and is used to indicate a lack of knowledge or understanding about a subject. This phrase dates back to at least the 19th century, and its origin is believed to be rooted in rural America where beans were a staple food.
The idiom "have it going on" means to possess a desirable or impressive quality, often in terms of attractiveness, confidence, or success.
The idiom "have had it up to here" means being extremely frustrated or fed up with something. It signifies reaching a limit or threshold of tolerance.
The idiom "have had it" means to be completely fed up, exhausted, or at the limit with a situation or person.
The idiom "have a way with" means to possess a natural skill or talent for dealing with or influencing others in a particular area or situation.
The idiom "have a lot of time for" means to have a great deal of respect or admiration for someone or something.
The idiom 'have a lot of time for' is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is often used to express a feeling of respect or admiration for someone or something. This idiom can also be used in a negative or sarcastic manner to indicate disapproval or a lack of respect.
The idiom "have a handle on" means to have a good understanding or control over something.
The idiom "hang around" means to stay or linger in a particular place or a situation without any clear purpose or reason. It implies a sense of aimlessness or idle presence.
Unraveling Ancient Origins
The idiomatic expression "be around" is closely related to the phrase "have been around." When someone says they have "been around," they are implying that they have been in a particular place or involved in a certain activity for a significant period of time.
This idiom can be used to convey a sense of familiarity or experience in a specific context. For example, if someone says they have "been around" in the business world, they are indicating that they have extensive knowledge and understanding of how things work in that industry.
"been there, done that" is another idiom that is often used in conjunction with "have been around." This expression is used to convey a sense of being experienced or well-acquainted with a particular situation or activity. When someone says they have "been there, done that," they are essentially saying that they have already encountered and overcome a similar situation in the past.
An extension of this idiom is "been there, done that, got the T-shirt," which emphasizes not only having experienced something before but also having tangible proof of it. The addition of "got the T-shirt" implies that the person has a physical souvenir or memento to show for their past experiences.
Another related idiom is "been to the rodeo," which has a similar meaning to "been there, done that." This expression is often used to describe someone who has a lot of experience in a particular area and has encountered various challenges or obstacles along the way.
Finally, the idiom "have had it" can also be connected to "have been around." This phrase is often used to convey a sense of exhaustion or frustration. When someone says they have "had it," they are indicating that they have reached their limit or can no longer tolerate a particular situation.
The idiomatic expressions "be around," "been there, done that," "been there, done that, got the T-shirt," "been to the rodeo," and "have had it" all relate back to the concept of having been in a particular situation or activity for a significant period of time. They convey a sense of familiarity, experience, and, in some cases, exhaustion or frustration.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "have been around" can be used in a sentence:
- The company has been around for over 100 years.
- I've been around long enough to know how things work.
- These traditions have been around since ancient times.
The idiom "have been around" is typically used to express the idea that something or someone has existed or been present for a significant period of time. It can refer to the longevity of a company, the experience of an individual, or the endurance of traditions. The phrase implies that the subject has encountered various situations and has a deep understanding of them due to their longevity or experience.
More "Origin" idioms
