The term "au fait" is a French phrase that has been adopted into English. It means to be familiar or well-versed in a particular subject or topic. It can also be used to describe someone who is up-to-date with the latest developments in a field or industry.
We use "au fait" to describe situations where someone has a thorough understanding or knowledge of a subject, and is able to speak confidently and competently about it. It can also suggest that someone is knowledgeable about current trends or practices in a given field.
Here are a few examples of how the term "au fait" might be used in a sentence:
- "She's au fait with the latest trends in fashion and always looks stylish."
- "He's au fait with the latest research in his field and is often called upon to speak at conferences."
- "They're not really au fait with the intricacies of the local customs and may inadvertently offend someone."
Similar expressions to "au fait" might include: well-versed, knowledgeable, informed, familiar, and up-to-date. However, "au fait" specifically implies a level of familiarity and expertise that is beyond a mere passing knowledge or familiarity with a subject.
The opposite of "au fait" might be someone who is ignorant or unfamiliar with a subject, or someone who is out of touch with current trends and developments in their industry or field.