You Know Better Than That – तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है / ऐसा मत करो

The idiom “You know better than that” is used to tell someone that they should know better than to do something, implying that their actions or decisions are not up to the expected standard or are not wise. It suggests that the person is making a mistake, and they should be aware of what is the right thing to do based on their experience or knowledge.

Meaning:
The idiom “You know better than that” is used to point out that someone should have known or acted differently because they possess the knowledge or experience to make a better decision. It implies that the person is acting in a way that is beneath their usual standards or better judgment.

Used When:

• To express disappointment or surprise at someone’s poor judgment or decision.
• To remind someone that they are capable of making better choices.
• When someone does something that they should have known was wrong or unwise.

Implied Message:
This idiom conveys the idea that the person being addressed is not living up to their own capabilities or knowledge. It’s a reminder to make better choices and not act impulsively. It reflects disappointment, as the speaker believes the person could have done better and is capable of making wiser decisions.

Hindi Equivalent:
“तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है” or “ऐसा मत करो”
In Hindi, the idiom “तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है” conveys the same message, meaning that the person should know better than to act in a certain way. It is used when you want to remind someone of their wisdom or better judgment, especially when they make an unexpected or ill-advised decision.

Detailed Explanation
When someone does something that seems below their usual standards or knowledge, you might say “You know better than that.” It’s like telling them, “You’re better than this” or “You should know the better option.” It’s often used in situations where the person should have made a wiser choice, based on their previous experiences or knowledge.

For example, if a friend, who is usually careful, forgets to bring something important, you might say, “You know better than that!” because they usually remember such things.

Example Sentences:
English: “You forgot your umbrella again? You know better than that!”
Hindi: “तुमने फिर से अपनी छाता भूल दी? तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है!”

Key Takeaways:

• “You know better than that” is a way of expressing disappointment or reminding someone that they should act with more wisdom.
• It reflects the idea that the person is capable of better judgment or decision-making.
• It’s a way of telling someone that they should have known better, given their experience or understanding.

Origin of the Idiom:
The origin of this idiom comes from the idea that people should have a certain level of knowledge or maturity that prevents them from making simple or avoidable mistakes. It has been passed down as a reminder to act thoughtfully and wisely, using one’s knowledge or experience.

Real-World Examples:

In Personal Life:
English: “You’re not actually going to eat all that junk food, are you?”
Response: “You know better than that!”
Hindi: “तुम सच में वो सारा जंक फूड खाने जा रहे हो, है ना?”
उत्तर: “तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है!”

In Career:
English: “I can’t believe you missed the deadline again.”
Response: “You know better than that.”
Hindi: “मुझे विश्वास नहीं हो रहा कि तुमने फिर से डेडलाइन मिस कर दी।”
उत्तर: “तुम्हें इससे बेहतर पता है!”

Similar Expressions:

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
I expect better from you	मुझसे तुम्हें बेहतर उम्मीद थी
That’s not like you	ये तुम्हारा तरीका नहीं है
You should know better	तुम्हें और बेहतर पता होना चाहिए

Cultural Perspectives:
This idiom is often used in situations where a person has disappointed others by making a poor choice, which is surprising because they are expected to know better. It’s commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to express that the individual has fallen short of the expectations based on their usual standards or experience.