be a dab hand at something/at doing something

be a dab hand

To be skilled in a particular area. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Amanda can fix that hole in your blouse—she's a dab hand at sewing. Joe's a dab hand with mechanical stuff, so he can probably figure out what's wrong with your car. A: "It looks like your cake sank in the middle." B: "Well, I never said I was a dab hand at baking."

See also: dab, hand

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be a dab hand at

be expert at.

Dab in this sense is recorded since the late 17th century, but its origin is unknown.

1998 Bookseller Stephanie Cabot…is apparently a dab hand at milking cows, according to one of those mystifying diary items in Skateboarders' Weekly.

See also: dab, hand

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be a dab ˈhand at something/at doing something

(British English, informal) be very good at doing something: Ask Neil to do it — he’s a dab hand at carpentry.

See also: dab, hand, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017