know someone when

Definitions

To have known a famous person before he or she was famous.

past, usually

Examples

“1915, "Interesting People: Charles Bullard: A Famous Photographer of Cats", in "The American Magazine" His friends thought him crazy, as friends always think⟳ when a man has an original idea and acts on it. Now, when his friends speak⟳ of him they invariably add⟳, "I knew him when—"”

“Of course when your school chum comes in from the old home town you want⟳ to send⟳ him back a life-long member of the "I-knew-him-when Club." You picture him back home, just a wee bit superior, as befits a friend of the great, holding forth to the boy's at the Sunshine Athletic Club.”

“The classical example of this is the "I knew him when" syndrome. Consider⟳ your immediate family. They know⟳ you as you really are, if anyone does.”

“"Well, congratulations. On the speech, everything." She stood up straighter and forced a smile⟳. "I can always say⟳ I knew him when."”

CEFR level