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Definition: Something bad but known is better than something unknown. This proverb, often shortened to “better the devil you know,” describes how to deal with something unpleasant. The “devil” could be any bad person, place, or thing.
The meaning of BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW THAN THE DEVIL YOU DON'T is —used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation one knows than with a new person or situation that could be worse.
Jul 17, 2023 · The phrase "the devil you know" is frequently used in conversations to suggest that it's safer to deal with something familiar, even if it's not perfect than to risk something new and potentially more dangerous. This idiom can be used in various contexts, ranging from personal relationships to professional situations.
Sep 17, 2023 · The phrase "better the devil you know" conveys a preference for sticking with a familiar situation or individual, even if they aren't perfect, over venturing into the unknown. It underscores the human tendency to opt for predictability over uncertainty.
The expression ‘ better the devil you know ‘ is used to indicate that it may be better to deal with a person or a thing that you are familiar with than to have to deal with a completely new and unknown one.
the devil you know. A shortening of the proverb "better the devil you know than the devil you don't," meaning that, when forced to decide, it's better to choose a difficult or undesirable option that one is used to or familiar with rather than an unknown person or thing.
BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (THAN THE DEVIL YOU DON'T) meaning: 1. said when you think it is wiser to deal with someone or something familiar, although you do not…. Learn more.
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.
Meaning: This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.
the devil you know is better than the one you don't (know) When forced to decide, it's better to choose a difficult or undesirable option that one is used to or familiar with rather than an unknown person or thing. A variant of the proverb "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know."
