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know better

Idioms

Be able to recognize something as wrong or not possible, as in Mary should know better than to leave her child alone in the house, or Try to get in without a ticket? You know better than that. [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No matter how much he practices at any other course, however, there won’t a major venue he’ll ever know better than Augusta.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

In talking with them, I realize that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

MarketWatch: Why is spending money wisely so difficult, even for people who know better?

From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026

When he pointed to the wrong place, he alleges a detective replied: "Come on Peter, you know better than that," before hinting at the "correct" location.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

“I know better than to fall for that,” the imp said disgustedly.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023