wiser

be none the wiser

to still be confused about something, even after it has been explained to you. Isobel must have explained the theory three times to me but I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser.

See also: none

no one will be any the wiser

something that you say which means that no one will notice something bad that someone has done. Take the label off the jar and say you made it yourself. No one will be any the wiser.

See also: any

sadder but wiser

if someone is sadder but wiser after a bad experience, they have suffered but they have also learned something from it. He bought a second-hand car and ended up sadder but wiser after a series of breakdowns and expensive repairs.

See also: but, sad

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be none the wiser

1. to fail to understand something. Isabel must have explained her idea three times to me, but I'm afraid I'm none the wiser. If you take the label off the jar and say you made it yourself, your guests won't be any the wiser.

2. to not be aware of something. The health department gave the restaurant a health warning, but customers were none the wiser.

Usage notes: often said about efforts to be sure that no one is aware: I figured I could just get rid of the stuff, and you'd be none the wiser.

See also: none