know better

phrase

1

: to be smart or sensible enough not to do something

You walked home alone? Don't you know better (than that)?

She'll know better than to trust them again.

There's no excuse for his behavior. He's old enough to know better.

Don't blame him. He's just a child and he doesn't know (any) better.

2

: to know or understand the truth about something

She tried to tell me that it wasn't her fault, but I know better.

3

: to know or understand more than other people

You can't tell him what to do. He always thinks that he knows better.

Examples of know better in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some medical professionals have a reputation among attorneys as more defense-friendly, and prosecutors should know better than to pick them even before trial, Stimson told the Washington Examiner. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026

Real Champagne connoisseurs know better than to store their bubbly in the fridge long-term. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

The rest of us mere mortals ought to know better, with study after study laying out the benefits of getting a solid night’s shut-eye whenever possible. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

In Arlo and Peter, taken together, there’s a complex self-portrait of Firstman himself, both desperate for freedom and venturing into the city, but also old enough to know better. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for know better

• abettor
• newsletter
• typesetter
• bettor
• debtor
• fetter
• getter
• letter
• netter
• petter
• rhetor
• setter