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Not know somebody from Adam

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Literal Meaning

The phrase is not about Adam; it's a way of saying you don't recognize someone.

Illustration for Literal Meaning
Even though we worked in the same office, I wouldn’t know her from Adam.
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Complete Stranger

Use the phrase to emphasize that someone is as unfamiliar to you as it's possible to be.

Illustration for Complete Stranger
The man in the photo could be anyone – I don’t know him from Adam.
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Astonishment

It often shows surprise that others expect you to recognize the person.

Illustration for Astonishment
You know Mike from accounting? I don’t know him from Adam!
Visual representation of the word "Not know somebody from Adam"

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