knew better
Had learned already
Knew better describes having had sufficient knowledge or judgment to avoid a mistake or poor decision.
It almost always appears with "should have" to express regret or criticism: I should have knew better than to trust him with my car keys.
The phrase implies that experience, maturity, or common sense ought to have prevented the error.
When someone says you knew better, they're pointing out that the person understood the right choice but made the wrong one anyway.
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- in retrospectConsidering past events now
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
contrition · realization · lesson learned · self-reflection · warning signs · guilt · discretion · repentance · culpability · forethought · accountability · foresight · comprehension · common sense · shoulda · clarity · recognition · maturity
knew betterfell for it
knew, better, know, knows, knowing, known, knowledge, knowledgeable, unknowing