If I didn't know any better

Posted by R. Berg May 04, 2003In reply to If I didn't know any better posted by ESC on May 04, 2003

Need help again!

If I didn't know any better, I would think
that someone wanted to get rid of me.
What does "If I didn't know any better" mean here?

Thanks!

I know he or she is not trying to get rid of me. But if I didn't have that knowledge, the person's actions would lead me to believe he or she WAS trying to get rid of me.

The phrase is often used sarcastically.

(That is kind of confusing. Anyone else want to have a go at explaining the sentence?)

To "know better" is to reject a belief or a thought that is tempting for some reason but is false. "The advertisement says that if you take this herbal medicine, you can eat all day and lose weight, but I know better." My knowledge is better (more accurate) than the information in the advertisement.