We’ve all dealt with those people who just can’t help but try to outshine everyone else in the room. They drop subtle (or not-so-subtle) phrases designed to make you feel like they know more like they’re the walking encyclopedia of the conversation. These people love flexing their perceived intelligence with lines that can feel dismissive, condescending, or annoying. Here’s a breakdown of what they say and are trying to accomplish.
1. “Well, technically…”
People love to whip out “Well, technically…” when itching to correct you on something small, often irrelevant. It’s not about adding depth to the conversation—it’s about asserting their intellectual dominance by focusing on a minor detail. This phrase is a favorite among those who need to be right, even if the “correction” doesn’t matter in the grand scheme.
2. “It’s simple, really.”
When someone tells you something is “simple,” they’re not being helpful—they’re belittling you. It’s their way of suggesting that you’re making something more complicated than it needs to be. Even if the topic is nuanced, they reduce it to a basic level to make it seem like you’re the one who’s struggling. The subtext? “I’ve got this figured out; why haven’t you?” It’s condescending, plain and simple.
3. “I read somewhere that…”
When someone says, “I read somewhere that…”, it’s often their way of flexing their “well-informed” status. The problem? They rarely cite reliable sources or offer any real depth. It’s just a tactic to make you feel like they’re more in the know, even if what they’re referencing is vague or irrelevant. It’s a throwaway line meant to make them seem well-read and knowledgeable, but often, it adds nothing valuable to the conversation.
4. “Actually…”
When someone starts a sentence with “Actually…”, they’re waving a flag that says, “I’m here to correct you.” This one word is a classic way to interject and undermine whatever you’ve just said, whether or not they have any groundbreaking information to share. It’s a subtle power move meant to establish their intellectual dominance while making you feel like you’ve got it all wrong. Their “correction” is often unnecessary, but the condescension is crystal clear.
5. “Let me explain it to you.”
Hearing this phrase can feel like nails on a chalkboard, especially when you already get it. It implies you’re clueless, and the speaker is swooping in to save you with their vast knowledge. In reality, they’re positioning themselves as the “expert” in the conversation, leaving you as the uninformed bystander. It’s one of those statements that instantly turns a discussion into a lecture, with them assuming they’re the professor.
6. “Everyone knows that.”
“Everyone knows that” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a dig, a not-so-subtle way of making you feel like you’re the only one in the dark. It’s designed to make you question your intelligence and put the other person on a pedestal. They’re saying, “How could you not know this?” It’s dismissive and shows they’re more interested in appearing smart than engaging in a meaningful conversation.
7. “You wouldn’t understand.”
This one is the verbal equivalent of a door slamming in your face. When someone says, “You wouldn’t understand,” they’re not just shutting down the conversation but also implying that your brain can’t handle the topic. It’s a passive-aggressive way of belittling your intelligence while making them feel superior. The worst part? It doesn’t invite a discussion—it’s designed to make you feel left out and inferior.
8. “I don’t mean to be rude, but…”
If someone starts with this, prepare yourself. What follows will absolutely be rude, no matter how much they try to sugarcoat it. This phrase is the ultimate passive-aggressive opener. They’re giving themselves permission to be condescending under the guise of politeness. They really mean, “I’m about to put you in your place, but I want to look like I’m being civil while I do it.” It’s manipulative and smug.
9. “Do you even know what that means?”
This phrase is nothing short of an insult. It’s a direct jab at your intelligence, as if they question whether you know the subject. It’s not an innocent question—it’s a statement wrapped in a question mark designed to belittle you. Instead of offering clarification or engaging in a real conversation, they use this to remind you that, in their eyes, you’re out of your depth.
10. “It’s common sense.”
Whenever someone says, “It’s common sense,” they’re not being helpful—they’re being condescending. This phrase implies that whatever you discuss should be so obvious that only a fool wouldn’t get it. It’s their way of saying that you lack basic understanding while they are enlightened. It’s a dismissive line that shuts down real conversation and makes you feel like you’re being schooled on something ridiculously basic.
11. “I’ve done my research.”
This phrase is a favorite of people pretending they’re experts, but their “research” often consists of reading a few articles or watching a YouTube video. They use this line to back you into a corner, making it seem like their viewpoint is bulletproof because they’ve put in more “work.” The reality? They’re probably as informed as you are, but they’ll claim superior knowledge to discredit your opinion.
12. “I’ve known that for ages.”
This is one of those humblebrag phrases that people drop to make it seem like you’re late to the party. By saying, “I’ve known that for ages,” they’re trying to make you feel like you’re behind the curve while they’ve been sitting on this information forever. It’s dismissive, unnecessary, and another way to inflate their ego by making you feel like you’re playing catch-up.
13. “I have more experience in this area.”
This phrase is a classic move to shut down your perspective, regardless of whether their “experience” is relevant. Even if it is, they use it to shut down the conversation because, in their mind, more experience equals superior knowledge. It’s an automatic conversation ender, implying that their lived experience trumps your understanding, no matter what you bring to the table.
14. “I’m just trying to help.”
While this might seem like a friendly offer, it’s often a backhanded way of saying you’re doing something wrong, and they’re here to save the day. The real meaning behind this phrase is, “I know better than you, and you need my guidance.” It’s condescending and often unnecessary, especially when you didn’t ask for their help in the first place.
15. “That’s not how I’d do it.”
This one’s sneaky because it sounds like they’re just offering an alternative perspective, but really, it’s a way of saying their method is better than yours. It’s a quiet way of implying that your approach is flawed and theirs is superior. Even if they don’t outright say your way is wrong, the subtext is clear: they think they know better.
16. “I’m pretty sure…”
When someone says, “I’m pretty sure…” they cast doubt on what you’ve just said, even if they don’t have solid evidence. It’s a way of hedging their bets while implying that they have a better handle on the topic. It’s passive-aggressive because it sounds uncertain, but in reality, they’re trying to gently correct you, whether or not they have the facts to back it up.
17. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
While this might sound diplomatic, it’s often just a way for someone to end the conversation when they think they’ve won. By saying, “Let’s agree to disagree,” they’re essentially saying, “I’m right, but I’ll let you have your little opinion.” It’s a dismissive way to shut down further discussion and avoid having to engage with your viewpoint.
