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

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

That's one of those examples that wouldn't happen with a human — a human actor would know better than this. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025

As revealed by social media, far too many Americans, even those who know better, are comfortable dehumanizing those with different thoughts than them. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025

Lawmakers ought to know better. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for know better

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