forwards

know something backwards and forwards and know something forwards and backwards

Fig. to know something very well; to know a passage of language so well that one could recite it backwards as well as forwards. Of course I've memorized my speech. I know it backwards and forwards.

See also: and, backward, know

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know something backwards  (British & Australian) also know something backwards and forwards (American)

if you know a subject or a piece of writing backwards, you know it very well Ed knows the play backwards - he's seen it eight or nine times. After 30 years in the business she knows it backwards and forwards.

See also: backward, know

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know something backwards and forwards also know something inside out

to be extremely well informed about something After 30 years in the fashion business, she knows it backwards and forwards. He knows New York inside out.

Related vocabulary: know something like the back of your hand

See also: and, backward, know