IdiomDaily LifeEnglishCrude

know someone in the biblical sense

Meaning: To have had sex with someone.

Example: “"So you two know each other?" "Not in the biblical sense, if that's what you're asking."”

Origin: Older English Bible translations use "know" for sexual relations, as in Genesis 4:1 in the King James Version (1611): "Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived." The jokey phrase "in the biblical sense" is a modern way of pointing to that usage.

Equivalents in other languages

More English idioms

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →