"firsthand idea" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
You can use it when you want to refer to a concept or thought that you have experienced or seen for yourself. For example, "I visited the region and got a firsthand idea of the local culture."
He drives 50,000 miles each year, visiting branches and small-business customers to hear ideas firsthand.
Check out footage from The Armory Show, and hear these artists' ideas firsthand, in the video below, and check out a few shots from The Armory Show floor.
Any serious student would want to examine these contributions firsthand to get an idea of the nature of the debate about the reality of hierarchical entities and the utility of a hierarchical approach to ecologic and evolutionary theory.
I've seen the awkward interactions firsthand: My son's idea of a conversation starter is often something like, "Did you ever notice that the word repetition has repetition in it?
Take your students to regional or national meetings so they can experience firsthand the excitement of exchanging ideas with colleagues from a broad set of institutions.
He focuses on ideas, politics, and firsthand coverage of current events.
Seeing the cultural practices firsthand helps to bring home the idea that we chase an ideal that is created rather than an absolute truth.
Many entrepreneurs have great ideas but lack the firsthand experience.
In his new book, as served up from the podium at the Ideas Fest, virtually every firsthand source cited has morphed into his "friend".
John Schupp, a chemistry professor at Cleveland State University, which has about 340 former servicemen and women among its 15,000 students, saw the difficulties firsthand and sold his university on the idea of vets-only courses.
Our idea was to examine these conflicts firsthand by seeking out and interviewing those involved on all sides, as well as civilians caught in the middle.
