to not see hide nor hair of somebody or something

Definition & Meaning of "not see hide nor hair of somebody or something "in English

to not see hide nor hair of somebody or something
01

to have not seen or heard about a person or thing for a considerable amount of time

IdiomIdiom
InformalInformal

What is the origin of the idiom "not see hide nor hair of someone or something" and when to use it?

The idiom "not see hide nor hair of someone or something" is believed to have its origins in the 19th century and has its roots in the literal idea that when tracking an animal or a person, the absence of both "hide" (the animal's skin) and "hair" (the fur or hair on the animal's body) would indicate that the subject being pursued has not been seen or encountered. Over time, this expression evolved into a figurative idiom, signifying the complete absence or total disappearance of someone or something, often with the implication of concern or mystery regarding their location.

example
Examples
I have n't seen hide nor hair of her since last Friday.
I have n't seen hide nor hair of my missing keys; they seem to have vanished.
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