know better

know better

To be aware or capable of better or smarter behavior than one has demonstrated. You know better than to talk to strangers! What were you thinking? You know better than to try to question that professor—he doesn't care what we have to say.
See also: better, know
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

know better (than to do something)

to be wise enough, experienced enough, or well trained enough not to have done something wrong. Mary should have known better than to accept a lift from a stranger. Children should know better than to play in the road.
See also: better, know
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

know better

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]
See also: better, know
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

know better than

be wise, well-informed, or well-mannered enough to avoid doing something specified.
1989 Anne Fine Goggle-Eyes Inspector McGee knows better than to tangle with Beth's granny.
See also: better, know
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

know ˈbetter (than that/than to do something)

be sensible enough not to do something: You left the car unlocked? I thought you’d know better. He knows better than to judge by appearances.
See also: better, know
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • know better than
  • all the better
  • all to the better
  • so much the better
  • better get moving
  • (one had) better get moving
  • ideally
  • be better placed
  • be well, ideally, better, etc. placed for something/to do something
  • couldn't be better
References in periodicals archive
Local economic development understood the concept of place-based policies, which is basically about the creation of policies starting with the assumption that people know better and that successful policies require engaged societies which participate in the development of their own priorities and policies.
Wisdom of youth
(See the thing is, what you never recognized when you scolded yourself for knowing better is that you didn't in fact know better. Get it?
You will keep making the same mistakes over and over
However, most of those who have gone through the painful and stressful experience of having their license in jeopardy now KNOW better and they will do whatever it takes to make sure they DO better.
Know better, do better!
That image, thank goodness, is a long way behind us in the region itself - we know better now, after all - but it lingers in the psyche as a stereotypical image of our city in many areas south of Knutsford Services.
City a driving force for new car brand; LIVERPOOL DAILY POST An independent newspaper Established in 1855
Indeed, I do know better than your original correspondent because I knew that responding to such verbal aggression would gain nothing.
Dog owner answers back; Mailbag letters also appear online at www.examiner.co.uk/views-and-blogs/reader-letters Mailbag
I've fancied Brian Reid's men from the off but should know better than writing off my old gaffer Michael O'Neill.
City set to test the Ayr
"As for Amanda Staveley, she should know better than to publicly put words in my mouth - particularly words she knows or should know perfectly well aren't true.
Football: Hicks in warning to DIC; EXCLUSIVE
You know better than to think we could get the Stephenses to explain their business deals, and you also know better than to think they would jump out of a long-term investment at the bottom of the market.
Yeah, that's the one
It's Not Enough to Know Better, Video, 2004, Vivid Edge Productions, $795.
It's Not Enough to Know Better
We know better today unless, God forbid, you should be a Latino or Arab immigrant.
Suspicious Arabic
Alan King's mare is highly regarded, but this was not the first time she has been done for a turn of foot close home and her 1.05 backers will know better next time.
Horse Racing: TRADING REPORT - Fitzgerald stays cool to win; TRADING POST
In response to lawsuits against tobacco companies, Parrotta blamed consumers who plead ignorance in such cases, but who should know better: "These people suing the tobacco companies today.
World War II vet connects with students
Think of a guy in your school you'd like to know better. Say "hi" to him tomorrow and, soon, you may be thinking about him instead of a boy who is taken.
Guilty pleasure
Recyclers engaged in international trade know better.
Are links strong enough?
Regardless, Beauford creates characters readers will want to know better.
The King of Macy's