Been around the block 🚶‍♀️🏘️

Meaning

Someone has a lot of experience, especially because they have lived or worked in a particular place or field for a long time.

Origin

Imagine a bustling city street, pulsing with life. Early city dwellers knew every nook and cranny of their neighborhood, every shortcut and familiar face. To 'go around the block' meant traversing the entire known perimeter of that immediate world. Doing it multiple times, or having 'been around the block' a lot, implied a deep, intimate familiarity with the area, its people, and its routines. This literal, walkable experience naturally translated to a figurative understanding of life's common pathways—the ups, the downs, the predictable turns—signifying a seasoned perspective hard-won through repeated journeys.

🦉🤔 wisdom 🏆 success 💪🙏 pride

Been around the block represented with emoji🚶‍♀️🏘️

This playful arrangement of a pedestrian followed by houses functions as a delightful visual pun. It underscores the notion that journey (the walker) experienced within a familiar context (the homes) can lead to a wealth of knowledge and familiarity. It teaches the viewer that sometimes, the most profound experiences are found not just in grand adventures, but in the cumulative wisdom gained from simply traversing one's surroundings.

Examples

  • Don't worry about him; he's been around the block and knows how to handle this situation.
  • She's been around the block in the tech industry and offers invaluable advice.
  • My grandpa has been around the block so many times, he remembers when the town square was just a dirt patch.
  • That old oak tree has been around the block countless times, seen squirrels have tea parties and badgers practice ballet.

Frequently asked questions

What's the opposite of 'been around the block'?

The opposite of 'been around the block' is a novice or someone inexperienced, often described as 'green' or a 'newbie'. This contrasts the vast experience implied by the idiom with a complete lack of it.

Is 'been around the block' a positive or negative idiom?

'Been around the block' is generally a positive idiom, implying wisdom and competence gained through experience. However, it can occasionally carry a slightly negative connotation of being world-weary or jaded, depending on the context.

Is 'been around the block' a proverb or an idiom?

'Been around the block' is an idiom, a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of its words. Proverbs, on the other hand, are short, well-known sayings that offer advice or wisdom.

Similar to "been around the block"

Seen it all
Both phrases signal extensive experience, but 'seen it all' leans more toward a world-weary perspective, as if nothing new can surprise them, whereas 'been around the block' emphasizes accumulated knowledge from practical engagement
Old hand at something
Both phrases point to long-term familiarity, but 'old hand' is usually applied to a specific skill or trade, making it more focused than the general life or field experience implied by 'been around the block'
Knows the ropes
Both phrases celebrate seasoned expertise, but 'knows the ropes' specifically highlights an understanding of the procedures and intricacies of a particular system or organization, hinting at insider knowledge that 'been around the block' does not necessarily require

Opposite of "been around the block"

Wet behind the ears
This phrase argues for a profound lack of experience, suggesting wide-eyed naivety and a complete absence of real-world understanding, which is a direct counterpoint to the deep well of practical knowledge 'been around the block' implies; the tension lies in whether one's history breeds wisdom or ignorance
Fresh eyes
This perspective champions the value of newness and unconventional thinking, directly challenging the notion that experience alone is the golden ticket, offering an alternative viewpoint that sees potential in unbiased, unjaded perspectives which 'been around the block' might overlook
Born yesterday
This phrase posits a certain gullibility or lack of awareness, suggesting someone who is easily fooled or unaware of the world's complexities, a stark contrast to the shrewdness and understanding one gains from 'being around the block'

Related to "been around the block"

Paid their dues
This phrase shares the sense of accumulated experience with 'been around the block,' but specifically links it to having endured hardships or worked diligently to earn one's position or reputation
Seen the writing on the wall
Both phrases imply a forward-thinking perspective born of experience, but 'seen the writing on the wall' is more focused on predicting negative outcomes or recognizing imminent failure
Knows the score
This phrase orbits 'been around the block' by highlighting an informed understanding of a situation's realities and underlying dynamics, often gained through prolonged exposure
A seasoned veteran
This phrase echoes the deep experience of 'been around the block,' but often carries connotations of dedication and a distinguished history within a specific field or organization, like the military or a particular profession