Some people just can’t help themselves—they have to be the smartest person in the room. And while it’s tempting to match their energy with a full-blown debate, sometimes the best way to deflate their ego is with subtlety. These phrases are like velvet daggers: they sound harmless, but they cut deep. They’re the linguistic equivalent of a sly smile when someone’s bragging too hard.
Here’s how to quietly humble a know-it-all without looking like you’re even trying.
1. “Have You Thought About It From This Angle?”
When someone is rambling like they’re the authority on everything, this phrase slides in like silk—light, casual, but disruptive. It shifts the power dynamic, implying that their viewpoint isn’t the whole story. According to The Decision Lab, intellectual humility is key to productive conversations, and this phrase invites that reflection without direct confrontation. It plants the seed that their expertise might be limited, which is exactly what a know-it-all hates to hear.
It also reframes the conversation as a dialogue, not a lecture. That subtle shift is often enough to make the other person pause and reconsider. It’s a gentle way to say, “You’re not the final word here.” And when they realize it, they’re likely to back off—at least for a moment.
2. “I’m Curious About Where You Learned That?”
This question is deceptively innocent but cuts right to the heart of any know-it-all’s confidence. It quietly challenges the source of their information without outright saying they’re wrong. Most know-it-alls expect nods of agreement, not questions about their credibility. When you ask this, it forces them to think about whether they really know what they’re talking about—or if they’re just posturing.
It also signals that you’re not just a passive listener—you’re discerning. You’re asking for receipts, which is often enough to make even the most overconfident person pause. And if they can’t back it up, you’ve subtly exposed the fact that they might not know as much as they think. That’s a quiet win.
3. “That’s One Way To See It For Sure.”
This phrase is so calm, it feels like a soft shrug—but it can totally disarm someone who thinks their opinion is the only one that matters. According to Psychology Today, acknowledging another person’s perspective without fully endorsing it is a tactful way to maintain civility and remind them that theirs is not the only valid viewpoint. Nuanced thinking is a marker of intellectual maturity, and this phrase gently introduces that idea without sounding patronizing. It plants the seed that their perspective isn’t universal truth.
It also gives you an exit ramp from the conversation without escalating it into a battle of egos. You’re not dismissing them, but you’re also not giving them the validation they crave. That’s what makes it so powerful. Sometimes, the softest pushback is the most effective.
4. “Can You Walk Me Through Your Thinking?”
This phrase is like a velvet rope: it looks welcoming, but it subtly restricts. By asking someone to explain their logic, you’re forcing them to reveal whether they’re parroting something they read online or actually understand the topic. Communication experts at Booher Research recommend using open-ended questions to encourage self-reflection and expose any gaps in a know-it-all’s reasoning, all without sounding confrontational. Many know-it-alls thrive on surface-level knowledge, so this gentle interrogation can quickly expose gaps.
It also puts them in the hot seat without sounding aggressive. You’re asking for a deeper explanation, not starting a fight. But the more they talk, the more likely they are to reveal inconsistencies or contradictions. And that’s the moment when their self-assured facade starts to crumble.
5. “That’s A Good Point, But Have You Considered [Alternative]?”
This phrase is pure elegance. It acknowledges the know-it-all’s opinion without fully validating it, then pivots to an alternative they might not have considered. People who dominate conversations often have blind spots, and gently introducing new ideas can help deflate their sense of certainty. It’s a subtle way of saying, “You’re not the only one with a brain.”
It’s also a move that makes you look gracious and smart at the same time. You’re not arguing, you’re building on the conversation. But in doing so, you’re also quietly undercutting their intellectual dominance. That balance is what makes this phrase so effective.
6. “I Don’t Think Everyone Would Agree With That.”
This phrase is disarmingly simple, but it sends a clear signal: you’re not buying the all-knowing act. It introduces the possibility of dissent without getting into specifics, which can make a know-it-all feel like the floor just shifted under their feet. It’s a subtle way of saying, “You’re not speaking for the group,” which can be surprisingly destabilizing.
It also puts a little distance between you and their opinion. You’re not starting a fight, you’re just suggesting there are other viewpoints worth considering. And that alone can be enough to temper their arrogance. It’s a small reminder that the world doesn’t revolve around their perspective.
7. “Have You Fact-Checked That Information?”
This phrase is the epitome of quiet shade. You’re expressing interest, but you’re also asking them to show their work. According to the Pew Research Center, fact-checking is essential for promoting intellectual honesty and accuracy in any discussion, and asking for verification is a simple way to encourage this standard. For a know-it-all, this can feel like a subtle check on their credibility.
It also takes the focus off of you and puts it squarely on them. They can either back up their claims, or they’ll have to admit they don’t actually know. And either way, you’ve gently knocked them off their pedestal—without ever raising your voice.
8. “That’s One Opinion.”
This phrase is the ultimate side-step: it acknowledges the know-it-all’s take without granting it authority. It signals that you see their perspective as just one option in a sea of possibilities. It also has a subtle, almost sarcastic edge that can take the wind out of their sails without sounding outright dismissive.
It’s a way of keeping the conversation open while also quietly holding your ground. You’re not giving them the reaction they want, which is often all it takes to humble a know-it-all. Sometimes, the absence of full agreement is all the pushback you need.
9. “That’s Not What I’ve Heard.”
This phrase is a gentle invitation to go deeper, but it carries an implicit challenge. It asks the know-it-all to clarify or justify their position, which can make them think twice about whether they actually know their stuff. It’s a way of pushing back without starting a confrontation.
It also shows that you’re not just going to nod and accept everything at face value. You’re signaling curiosity and independence, which can be enough to make a know-it-all pause. And in that pause, their dominance starts to shrink. It’s subtle but effective.
10. “There’s More Than One Way To Look At It.”
This phrase is the verbal equivalent of a raised eyebrow. It suggests that their perspective isn’t gospel, but you’re not being combative about it. It invites them to consider other viewpoints—whether they like it or not.
It’s a reminder that no one has a monopoly on knowledge, and that even know-it-alls could stand to learn something new. Sometimes, you don’t have to challenge them outright—just a gentle nudge can open the door to humility. And if they resist, well, that’s on them.
11. “That’s A New Take, But I’m Not Sure I Agree.”
This phrase is the conversational equivalent of a noncommittal shrug. You’re acknowledging their point without fully endorsing it, which can throw a know-it-all off balance. It suggests that you’re thoughtful, independent, and not easily swayed.
It’s also a way of signaling that you’re not here to be impressed or converted. You’re willing to consider new ideas, but you won’t just accept them blindly. That subtle resistance can be enough to humble someone who thrives on intellectual dominance.
12. “That’s Definitely One Way To Frame It.”
This phrase is like a polite side-eye—it acknowledges the know-it-all’s framing while hinting that it might not be the whole picture. It gently reminds them that their way of seeing things isn’t the only lens that matters. It’s a subtle cue that you’re not entirely convinced, even if you’re not outright saying so.
It also shows that you’re engaged and thinking critically. You’re not just a passive audience to their monologue—you’re an active participant with your own perspective. And that alone can be enough to humble even the most insistent know-it-all.
13. “I’ll Have To Check That Out For Myself.”
This phrase is a quiet assertion of autonomy. It signals that you’re not going to take their word as gospel—you’ll do your own research. For a know-it-all, that’s a subtle but powerful pushback, because it implies you don’t fully trust their expertise.
It’s also a graceful exit line. You’re not arguing, you’re just saying you’ll explore the topic on your own. That small act of independence can be enough to deflate their sense of superiority, and it leaves you in control of the conversation.
