know better

know better
know better (than to (do something)) 1. to be wise enough to behave in a more responsible or acceptable way.

It was a stupid thing to do, and I thought she knew better.

You know better than to interrupt when someone else is talking.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form not know any better:

Doesn't she know any better than to wear jeans to a place like this?

2. to be wise enough to know that you should not believe someone or something.

The guy who was trying to sell us the car said it was in great condition, but I knew better.


New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • know better — To be wiser, better instructed (than to do this or that) • • • Main Entry: ↑know * * * know better see ↑know, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑better know better 1 : to be smart or sensible enough not to do something …   Useful english dictionary

  • know better — know you should not do that    Why did you take the candy? You know better than to steal …   English idioms

  • know better — 1) used for saying that someone should not make a mistake, because they are sensible or experienced She should know better than to try to fool him. 2) to know that what someone else says or thinks is wrong Everyone thought it was an innocent… …   English dictionary

  • know better than to do something — know better (than to (do something)) 1. to be wise enough to behave in a more responsible or acceptable way. It was a stupid thing to do, and I thought she knew better. You know better than to interrupt when someone else is talking. Usage notes:… …   New idioms dictionary

  • know better than to — know better (than to (do something)) 1. to be wise enough to behave in a more responsible or acceptable way. It was a stupid thing to do, and I thought she knew better. You know better than to interrupt when someone else is talking. Usage notes:… …   New idioms dictionary

  • know better than — ► know better than be wise enough to avoid doing something. Main Entry: ↑know …   English terms dictionary

  • know better (than that to do something) — know better (than that/than to do sth) idiom to be sensible enough not to do sth • He knows better than to judge by appearances. Main entry: ↑knowidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • know better (than than to do something) — know better (than that/than to do sth) idiom to be sensible enough not to do sth • He knows better than to judge by appearances. Main entry: ↑knowidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • know better than — be wise or polite enough to avoid doing a particular thing you ought to know better than to ask that …   Useful english dictionary

  • know better days — experience better times, have more prosperous periods …   English contemporary dictionary

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