know by sight

Idioms  

1. Recognize someone or something by appearance but not know the name or other details. For example, I know a lot of people by sight from the tennis courts. [1200s]

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Example Sentences

Behind them, an enormous mother, in a brown silk dress, and the father, a rather frail little man I know by sight.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus

This is due to the leaves or twigs of a plant, which many of you probably know by sight, touching your hands or face.

From A Handbook of Health by Hutchinson, Woods

‘My brothers,’ he said, ‘the electors do not know by sight; it is my influence which returns them.’

From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. III by Greville, Charles

He loved the grave, wise, kindly Governor and his brave wife, and grew to know, by sight at least, most of the other people of the town.

From The Puritan Twins by Perkins, Lucy Fitch

No. Of course she might be in our employ, but I doubt it, although I could not be expected to know by sight every girl who works in the plant.

From The Film of Fear by Foster, Will