at first hand

Idioms  

1. Directly from the origin, without intervention or intermediary. For example, I prefer to hear his criticism at first hand, rather than having it passed on by my boss. This phrase uses hand in the sense of “person” (coming directly from one person). [First half of 1700s] Also see at second hand.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at first hand

Thirty-one-year-old Sitaram Tandel, from a small fishing village in India's Gujarat state, saw the danger at first hand while aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

As for the credibility of Israeli witnesses, who else — other than the early responders who encountered the victims at first hand — should be interviewed and quoted by anyone investigating this?

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2024

Second-placed Bol said it was surreal to see McLaughlin's pace at first hand.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022

In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built and Shaw was there to view it at first hand.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2022

We will be having new opportunities to learn more about the physiology of death at first hand, from the increasing numbers of cardiac patients who have been through the whole process and then back again.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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