you know
informal
1. A filler phrase used when one is thinking of what to say next. I like the one with the, you know, the red thing on top.
2. A question posed at the end of a sentence to ascertain the agreement or comprehension of the listener. I can't describe it. It just felt a little bittersweet, you know? A: "It's just such a shame what happened to Nancy and Bill, you know?" B: "Totally. They did not deserve to lose their house."
3. Used at the beginning or end of a sentence to emphasize something that one wants the listener to recognize, admit, or understand. I have skills. I'm not just some office drone, you know. You know, you can be a real jerk sometimes, Janet.
4. You know the answer; you know what or whom I'm referring to. A: "Which one's your cousin again?" B: "You know, she's the one you met at the concert." A: "What's that?" B: "You know, it's the coin we found in the river when we were kids."
5. Used as a general introduction to some piece of information one is about to share. You know, I've never really enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all that much.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
you know
an expression placed on the end of a statement for pause or emphasis. (This expression is often overused, in which case it is totally meaningless and irritating.) Tom: Sure, I spent a fortune on this car. Can't take it with you, you know. Rachel: But there are better things to do with it here and now. Bill: Do you always lock your door? Tom: Usually. There's a lot of theft around here, you know.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
you know
You are aware, you see, do you remember, as in She's very lonely, you know, so do go and visit, or You know, this exhibit ends tomorrow, or You know that black dog our neighbors had? She was run over a year ago. This phrase is also quite often a conversational filler, equivalent to "um" and occasionally repeated over and over (as in It's a fine day for, you know, the beach, and, you know, we could leave now); this usage is more oral than written, and many consider it deplorable. [Late 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
you ˈknow
(informal)
1 used when you are thinking of what to say next: He’s, you know, strange. It’s hard to explain.
2 used to show that what you are referring to is known or understood by the person you are speaking to: You know I bought a new bag? Well, someone stole it last night.
3 used to emphasize something that you are saying: I’m not stupid, you know.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
you know
Informal Used parenthetically in conversation, as to fill pauses or educe the listener's agreement or sympathy: Please try to be, you know, a little quieter. How were we supposed to make camp in a storm like that, you know?
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.