back to front
The phrase "back to front" can describe physical reversal or a thorough understanding of a subject, commonly used in both British and American English.
Definition
B1General
(informal)In reverse order or position, often with the back part facing forward.
Example
- You put your shirt on back to front.
- The instructions were so confusing that I ended up assembling the furniture back to front.
B2Idiomatic
(idiom)Having thorough knowledge or understanding of a subject.
Example
- She knows the software back to front.
- After living in the city for years, he knows the neighborhood back to front.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "back to front":
go backwardsin reversefrom top to bottomin frontback to backfast backwardback endfront offfrom the topback and forthhead to toeinside outfront endfore and aftway backto and frofront and centerback rowback intomoving forwardright backrear viewin the front rowup frontback infront rownose to tailturn inside-outfrom stem to sternback wallforward-backward algorithmfront wallwrong side outturn backfront upen face