know better

idiom

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 Like Robinson Crusoe, even locals who should know better view this other island as a blank slate for exile or utopia. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The individuals in this room know better than anyone just how much time, hard work and heart goes into creating the magic that takes place when an artist takes the stage with a room full of fans. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2024 Even those in higher ed know better than to assume the glitz of a four-year or masters degree will sway employers for long. Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2024 Or did the bees know better than to waste their time trying to penetrate the presumably granite-like epidermis of the Crank and Expendables star? Clark Collis, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2024 But that’s actually what’s floating around out there on the social network hellscapes, nudged along by a few adults who really should know better (Vivek Ramaswamy). James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2024 David Reynolds Scotts Valley GOP must wake up to danger of Trump This letter is for the Republicans who know better and still support Donald Trump. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 Despite being mocked by pundits who should know better, Haley is right — the race is down to two. Christian Schneider, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 Most people also know better than to post young children, tweens or teens excessively online. Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'know better.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near know better

Cite this Entry

“Know better.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know%20better. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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