have been there

have been there

To have done or experienced something before. Don't worry so much about failing a test—we've all been there.
See also: been, have, there
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have been there

INFORMAL
If someone tells you about an experience or a situation and you say that you have been there, you mean that you have had the same experience yourself. He admitted he had a problem and wanted to work on it, and we said, `Look, we've all been there, probably worse than you have, so if you want some help we'll help you.'
See also: been, have, there
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • do someone or something justice
  • ain’t 1
  • go out of
  • other than
  • other than (something)
  • let something drop
  • knock
  • knock (something)
  • helluva someone/something
  • hit someone for something
References in periodicals archive
Some of the inhabitants have been there for a hundred years.
Crescent beach over the ages