IdiomBody & SensesEnglish

a dab hand

Meaning: Someone very skilled at something.

Example: “My grandfather is a dab hand at making bread.”

Origin: British English. "Dab" meaning an expert is found from the late 17th century; its origin is uncertain.

Equivalents in other languages

More English idioms

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

  • Amae The comfortable feeling of depending on another's goodwill — leaning into someone's indul…
  • Weltschmerz The weariness and sadness you feel when the world as it is falls painfully short of the w…
  • Torschlusspanik The anxious fear that time is running out — that the gates of opportunity, youth, or life…

Browse all untranslatable words →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →