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

Martha Lucia Pereira, chief executive of luxury real estate agency PresVip, has witnessed the influx of foreign capital at first hand, saying 99 percent of her clients are Latin American.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 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

He had, he said, “seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.”

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2022

He has examined the effects of chemical and biological warfare at first hand, especially in Iraq and Syria.

From BBC • May 30, 2021

He knew how shocking the destruction of that world had been, for he had experienced it at first hand.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton