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
And of all the players and personnel in the organization, few know better of Vitello’s ability to transform a team than Gilbert.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Lee disrespects national park values with these twin bills, and Curtis, who likes to tout his nature sensitivity on hikes with constituents, should know better.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Flight attendants know better than anyone which travel essentials are actually worth the space in your carry-on.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Just a year ago, every flub President Joe Biden made ricocheted as evidence of a man on the decline, a leader who should know better, a pol trying to pull a fast one on the nation.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for know better
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Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Lee disrespects national park values with these twin bills, and Curtis, who likes to tout his nature sensitivity on hikes with constituents, should know better.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Flight attendants know better than anyone which travel essentials are actually worth the space in your carry-on.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Just a year ago, every flub President Joe Biden made ricocheted as evidence of a man on the decline, a leader who should know better, a pol trying to pull a fast one on the nation.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for know better
Cite this Entry
“Know better.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know%20better. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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