expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
having done it oneself; familiar from experience; guilty-looking
Prenominal phrase used to describe something one recognizes from personal experience, often implying guilt or a sense of familiarity. Commonly used in negative form 身に覚えのない to deny involvement.
See also: 身に覚えのない
When he heard a story that he had experienced himself, his face stiffened.
その非難には身に覚えのあることばかりだった。
The accusations were all things he knew he had done.
With a guilty look on his face, he remained silent.
Fixed expression composed of 身 (oneself), に (locative particle), 覚え (memory/experience), and のある (possessive prenominal form). Literally 'having a memory in oneself'.