better the devil you know

When faced with two options, it is better to choose the more familiar one, even if it is undesirable. A shortened form of the phrase "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know." A: "Why don't you just quit your job if you're so miserable?" B: "Who knows if a new job will be any better? Better the devil you know." Most people just vote for the candidate from their political party because it's what they've done for most of their lives. Better the devil you know, and all that. You're right, I don't like this neighborhood, but moving is such a pain. Better the devil you know, right?

See also: better, devil, know

better the devil you know

mainly BRITISH

You say better the devil you know, to mean that you would rather deal with someone you already know, even if you do not like them, than deal with someone that you know nothing about, because they may be even worse. People are still voting for him. As they say, `Better the devil you know.' His challenger remains an unknown quantity. Note: This expression comes from the proverb better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

See also: better, devil, know

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

better the devil you know

it's wiser to deal with an undesirable but familiar person or situation than to risk a change that might lead to a situation with worse difficulties or a person whose faults you have yet to discover.

This phrase is a shortened form of the proverb better the devil you know than the devil you don't know .

See also: better, devil, know

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌbetter the ˌdevil you ˈknow (than the devil you don’t)

(saying) it is better to deal with somebody/something bad, difficult, etc. that is familiar than to make a change and perhaps have to deal with somebody/something worse

See also: better, devil, know

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

References in periodicals archive

Tonight's songs - Rhydian:OHoly Night, Somewhere, You Raise Me Up (with Katherine Jenkins); Leon:White Christmas, You Don't Know Me, Better The Devil You Know (with Kylie Minogue); Same Difference: All I Want For Christmas Is You, Breaking Free, Any Dream Will Do (with Jason Donovan).

Kylie boost for Leon; TV SPECIALS THE X FACTOR

Rimmer and Clifton - who had come bottom of the leaderboard with 16 points in Saturday's show - danced their Viennese waltz to Sir Tom Jones' Delilah again, while King and Pritchard had another go at their cha cha to Better The Devil You Know by Kylie Minogue.

Chef Simon is fifth star to exit Strictly contest

I think you've panicked and run back because it's a case of better the devil you know without giving this new school a chance.

IS RETURN TO OLD SCHOOL A MISTAKE?

But, for most of us, it's probably better the devil you know.

It's better the devil you know ... even if he is called Claude

Of course, I want the owner of Aston Villa to be someone who cares about the future of the club, but I have always subscribed to the 'better the devil you know' camp when it came to new ownership.

My bad mood has changed as quickly as Fab!

Kylie, 47, wowed fans at Newmarket Nights in Suffolk, opening her set with Better the Devil You Know. And we all know what a devil Lady Gaga is when it comes to wicked outfits.

Flash ..Trash; Snap shot

The Conservatives held their nerve knowing that the outgoing government usually get a lift when the voters stand in the booth and some decide it's better the devil you know.

Winners and losers

As the old saying goes - better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

Town poll a waste of money; FEEDBACK

Supporters have taken the attitude of better the devil you know, as we feared which blast from the past Ashley would foist upon us, but no longer.

A VIEW FROM THE GALLOWGATE

Efforts include an emotional Better The Devil You Know and a stylish take of first hit The Locomotion.?

Kylie in great voice; RELEASES

And he managed to perform the rumba to Kylie Minogue's Better The Devil You Know with partner Flavia Cacace last night.

RUSSELL'S PAINFUL FORECAST

But looking at some of the things that are being built I am reminded of the phrase "better the devil you know"

Better the central library you know? In association with www.rbs.co.uk

"And it's better the devil you know than one you don't.

Joker Del is Jim's ace card

In closing, may I say that I love my country and for me it's better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

Local elections for local issues

A true professional, Kylie managed to fend off the sore throat and belt out some of her classic hits, including the recent hit single Can't Get You Out of My Head, Better The Devil You Know and title track Fever.

Show must go on for sore Kylie