familiar

be familiar with (someone or something)

To be acquainted with or knowledgeable about someone or something. Yeah, I'm familiar with Bill, he seems like a good guy. I'm not familiar with that song—how does it go?

See also: familiar

become familiar with (someone or something)

To become acquainted with or knowledgeable about someone or something. I first became familiar with the suspect when we collaborated on a project together 10 years ago. You'll need to become familiar with our internal database-management software before you take over this project.

See also: become, familiar

familiar with (someone or something)

Acquainted with or knowledgeable about someone or something. Yeah, I'm familiar with Bill, he seems like a good guy. I'm not familiar with that song—how's it go?

See also: familiar

get familiar with (someone or something)

To become acquainted with or knowledgeable about someone or something. Our company hosts a week-long retreat each summer. It's a great way for employees to get familiar with each other and begin developing strong bonds of friendship and trust. You'll need to get familiar with our internal database-management software before you take over this project.

See also: familiar, get

get fresh with (one)

1. To treat one impolitely or inappropriately, especially by talking back to an authority figure. Don't get fresh with your mother, young lady!

2. To grope or caress one in an aggressive, over-eager, or unsolicited sexual manner. We were having a lovely date, but then he started getting fresh with me in the movie theater.

See also: fresh, get

get in bad with (one)

To be disliked by someone; to get into trouble with someone. I didn't want to get in bad with the boss, so I decided to laugh along with his rather offensive joke. The defendant, who claims to be buried in debt after getting in bad with loan sharks years ago, has pleaded guilty of robbing the convenience store with an illegal firearm.

See also: bad, get

get in good with (someone)

To become the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. The superintendent is a powerful woman in the school district, so I hope you can get in good with her. I only got in good with John after I baked him a cake.

See also: get, good

get in tune with (someone or something)

1. To come to be in unison with a musician or piece of music. People don't realize how hard it is to get in tune with the music when you can't hear yourself singing! The cellist seems to be having trouble getting in tune with the rest of the string section.

2. To come to be in agreement or concordance with someone or something. The new managing editor is having trouble getting in tune with everyone else in our department. He just doesn't seem willing to adapt to our way of doing things. Companies will have to get in tune with the new anti-money-laundering legislation soon or risk facing fines of up to $2.5 million.

See also: get, tune

have a familiar ring

To sound like something one has heard before. I must have read this before—the words in the opening paragraph have a familiar ring to them.

See also: familiar, have, ring

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*familiar with someone or something

to have a good knowledge of someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; get ~.) Are you familiar with changing a flat tire? I can't speak German fluently, but I'm somewhat familiar with the language.

See also: familiar

have a familiar ring (to it)

Fig. [for a story or an explanation] to sound familiar. Your excuse has a familiar ring. Have you done this before? This term paper has a familiar ring to it. I think it has been copied.

See also: familiar, have, ring

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have a familiar ring

Sound or seem as though one has already heard of something. For example, That story has a familiar ring; I'm sure I've read it before.

See also: familiar, have, ring

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

have a familiar ˈring (about/to it)

sound familiar: His complaints have a familiar ring. Others have said exactly the same thing about our designs. ♢ The music in the movie had a familiar ring to it. I think it was Schumann.

See also: familiar, have, ring

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

in a familiar way

mod. pregnant. (Euphemistic for in a family way.) Britney is in a familiar way, have you heard?

See also: familiar, way

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.