
IdiomBody & Senses
English
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
French: Une fine lame Literally: A fine blade
More English idioms
- to the letter Exactly and precisely, following every detail.
- get the boot To be dismissed from a job or thrown out.
- not the sharpest tool in the shed Not very intelligent.
- the honeymoon period The early, happy stage of a new relationship or arrangement, before problems appear.
- for donkey's years For a very long time.
- since time immemorial For longer than anyone can remember.
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…
Keep exploring