you-know-who
noun
informal
—used in speech to refer to someone who is not named but is known to both the hearer and speaker
We're planning to throw a party for you-know-who.
Examples of you-know-who in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The author, a scholar and a distant relation of you-know-who, argues that the history of Transcendentalism has long been distorted by an undue stress on its marquee figures, all of them male.
—
James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
To keep tourists interested in the very long event, various sideshows followed the path as well, including one that featured a particular you-know-who mummy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Down in the state of Texas, the SXSW Music Festival and Conference commenced, bringing out all the you-know-who’s in the entertainment and tech space.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Mar. 2025
Hell, the oldest park in the whole of the Americas, established in 1592 (a hundred years after you-know-who).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
At this point the obvious movie star with black hair and impressive stubble, sipping coffee quietly in a fashionable hotel lobby in white wool sweater and jeans, briefly transformed into you-know-who.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Bronny James, the son of you-know-who on the Lakers, had a workout with the team on Thursday.
—Bruce Haring, Deadline, 14 June 2024
Baird’s no-nonsense sleuthing energies could pass for you-know-who on the prowl, probing, stopping to eagle-eye a prop or wheeling around to grill a character.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 5 June 2024
Attacks on Biden’s age stir up whispers about you-know-who
Washington is all aflutter with chatter about Biden’s age and ability to serve a second term.
—Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
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James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
To keep tourists interested in the very long event, various sideshows followed the path as well, including one that featured a particular you-know-who mummy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Down in the state of Texas, the SXSW Music Festival and Conference commenced, bringing out all the you-know-who’s in the entertainment and tech space.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Mar. 2025
Hell, the oldest park in the whole of the Americas, established in 1592 (a hundred years after you-know-who).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
At this point the obvious movie star with black hair and impressive stubble, sipping coffee quietly in a fashionable hotel lobby in white wool sweater and jeans, briefly transformed into you-know-who.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Bronny James, the son of you-know-who on the Lakers, had a workout with the team on Thursday.
—Bruce Haring, Deadline, 14 June 2024
Baird’s no-nonsense sleuthing energies could pass for you-know-who on the prowl, probing, stopping to eagle-eye a prop or wheeling around to grill a character.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 5 June 2024
Attacks on Biden’s age stir up whispers about you-know-who
Washington is all aflutter with chatter about Biden’s age and ability to serve a second term.
—Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“You-know-who.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/you-know-who. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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