Learn at someone's knee

[twisty23]

I have a doubt. What does this sentence mean: "We had learned at Friedman's knee"-said Margaret Thatcher.

Thanks.

 

[probus]

Usually it means to learn something as a young child, but given the context Mrs Thatcher must have been pointing out that economist Milton Friedman's ideas were far from novel. They had long been widely known and discussed in conservative circles.