expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
having no memory of doing; having nothing to do with; having no knowledge of
Fixed phrase used to deny involvement or memory of an action, often in the pattern 身に覚えのないこと or 身に覚えがない. The second gloss 'having nothing to do with' is a contextual extension, not a separate core meaning.
See also: 身に覚えのある
身に覚えのない請求が届いた。
I received a bill for something I have no memory of.
彼は身に覚えのない罪で捕まった。
He was arrested for a crime he had nothing to do with.
The affirmative counterpart, meaning 'having a memory of doing' or 'being aware of having done something'.
A set phrase composed of 身 (oneself), に (locative particle), 覚え (memory, awareness), and のない (negative form of ある). The literal meaning is 'there is no memory in oneself'.