What to Say When Someone Calls You a Know-It-All

Being called a know-it-all can be annoying, especially if you sincerely want to lend your opinion.

You can’t help it if you know a lot of information about things, and it’s only natural that you would want to share your knowledge with your friends, colleagues, or family.

However, if these persons don’t seem to appreciate it but call you a know-it-all, it’s customary to want to know the right things to say in reply.

To help you, I’ll be discussing things to say to someone who calls you a know-it-all in this article, so keep reading to the end.

20 Things to Say When Someone Calls you a Know-it-all

When people call you a know-it-all, it’s either they’re jealous of your knowledge of things and ability to weave your way through conversations effortlessly.

However, it truly could be because you’re a know-it-all; someone who doesn’t give room for others to share their opinion.

If you’re the type who feels you must say something in every situation, then truly you’re a know-it-all and it’s natural for people to be pissed off.

So, what you say in reply when someone calls you a know-it-all will depend if you feel they’re speaking out of jealousy.

Also, it’ll depend if you know they’re truly pissed about your attitude. Below are things you can say when someone calls you a know-it-all.

1. Okay, I have heard you
2. If you’ve something to say, then say it
3. I’m not stopping you from knowing it all
4. I’m not stopping you from speaking
5. You can close your ears
6. So, what should we do now?
7. At least I’m knowledgeable
8. At least I’m not dumb
9. I don’t see how it affects you
10. As long as it isn’t a crime
11. Is it a crime to give my thoughts?
12. Why make it your business?
13. Then by all means ignore me
14. Alright, I’ll do better
15. I’ll work on it
16. It isn’t bad though if you learn
17. You’ll learn when you stop being jealous
18. I know, right?
19. Agreed
20. Focus on what you know then

Okay, I Have Heard You

When someone calls you a know-it-all, one of the best things you can say to them is something that shows you’re unconcerned.

Replying in this way will get to them, especially if they called you that to spite you. “Okay, I have heard” is one reply that should work.”

This is something you can say offhandedly while doing what you were doing, or walking away.

This is a smart reply, they wouldn’t be expecting and you can say it to prove that you care less about what they think.

If You’ve Something to Say, then Say It

One thing with people who think someone is a know-it-all is because they lack knowledge in some things or they feel intimidated by the person.

So, one thing you can say to someone who calls you a know-it-all is to let them know they can say their mind also.

Something like, “if you’ve something to say, then say it” is a smart comeback for someone jealous of your knowledge.

You can say this reply calmly to let them know you truly are not stopping them from speaking.

Speaking calmly can make them feel bad if they had spoken spitefully. However, you can give your reply in the same manner they spoke.

I’m Not Stopping You from Knowing It All

When someone feels jealous when you have things to say and calls you a know-it-all, you can let them know you’re not stopping them from knowing it all too.

Knowledge is not restricted to anybody, so if they feel intimidated by you knowing things, you can let them know they too can acquire as much knowledge as they want.

So, when anyone calls you a know-it-all, tell them “I’m not stopping you from knowing it all.”

This is a smart comeback you can use on anyone who feels jealous or intimidated about your all-around knowledge.

I’m Not Stopping You from Speaking

You can also tell someone who calls you a know-it-all that you’re not stopping them from speaking.

Everyone has the freedom of speaking and so if they feel envious that you’re always saying something, tell them that you’re not stopping them from speaking.

Except, perhaps you’re the one who isn’t giving anyone a chance to speak. But if you feel they called you a know-it-all spitefully, tell them you’re not stopping them from speaking.

You Can Close Your Ears

We can’t stop people from hearing sounds, but people are in control of what they listen to and pay attention to.

So, if someone isn’t happy that you always have the right thing to say, you can tell them they can close their ears.

In this way, you’re reminding them that they can’t stop you from speaking nor are you forcing them to listen.

You can give this reply without paying any more attention to them. A statement like this will piss them off more, especially saying it offhandedly.

So, What Should We Do Now?

Another thing you can say to someone who calls you a know-it-all is, “so what should we do now?” This kind of response will throw them off balance, giving them nothing more to say. Asking them what should be done about you is a smart retort to give.

This question will make them understand that they shouldn’t be bothered in the first place if you know it all.

At Least I’m Knowledgeable

Another smart reply for someone who calls you a know-it-all is, “at least I’m knowledgeable.

When someone feels that you know a lot of things, let them know it is actually a good thing to know things.

A reply like this will not only come out as smart, it’ll make them even feel less than themselves. This is a smart reply that’ll get to a jealous person.

At Least I’m Not Dumb

When someone calls you a know-it-all, another way you can let them know that it’s a good thing to have all-around knowledge is by saying, “at least I’m not dumb.”

Being identified as a dumb person is much worse than being labeled a know-it-all.

So, telling someone who labels you a know-it-all that you’re not dumb” will make them know that being a know-all is much better than being dumb.

Also, it’ll let them know that you’re not bothered about what they think. In addition, they could understand that you’re calling them dumb.

I Don’t See How It Affects You

Having enough knowledge shouldn’t be a problem for anyone, except of course they feel jealous or you use it with pride.

So when someone calls you a know-it-all, remind them that it doesn’t affect them.

“I don’t see how it affects you,” is a smart reply that should get to anyone who calls you a know-it-all spitefully. It’ll drive home the message well, asking them to mind their business.

As Long as It Isn’t a Crime

Knowing it all isn’t a crime. In fact, it’s a special gift to have insight into many things. So, when someone calls you a know-it-all, tell them it isn’t a crime to be so.

“As long as it isn’t a crime” is an appropriate reply that should work in getting them off your back. At the same time, it’ll let them know that you’re not worried about what they think and you’ll go on being you.

Is It a Crime to Share Your Knowledge?

When someone calls you a know-it-all, ask them if it’s a crime to share what you know.

When you know things people don’t know, sharing your knowledge is the right thing to do.

So, if someone takes offense that you’re doing just that, ask them if it’s a crime to share your knowledge.

A question like this should not only put them off, it’ll make them understand you’re not in the least affected by what they think.

Why Make It Your Business?

If you know enough things, it shouldn’t be anyone’s business that you’re willing to share.

So, when someone labels you a know-it-all because you offer your opinions easily, let them know you can always be what you want to be.

Ask them why they should make it their business that you’ve all-around knowledge that you’re willing to share. A response like this would make them understand that you won’t be put off by their spite.

Then by all Means Ignore Me

Everyone has the control to ignore things that don’t appeal to their senses. As long as you’re not forcing your opinion on anyone, you can remind someone who calls you a know-it-all to ignore you.

Perhaps, they feel that they must listen to you, tell them to ignore you when it bothers them. This is a smart retort that’ll make them know that you can’t be put off by what they think or will do anything to please them.

Alright, I’ll Do Better

We have established earlier that you may be the type who always wants to prove a point and doesn’t give people a chance to express their opinion.

When this is the case, you’ll always get a lot of people pissed off. So if someone calls you a know-it-all and you know fully that you’re guilty of it, the best thing is to acknowledge it.

An expression like, “alright, I’ll do better” is a proper response to give in this case.

Here, it doesn’t only acknowledge that you’re aware of your fault, but it also shows your readiness to change. However, this kind of reply will depend on how the person makes the statement.

If they call you aside and tell you that or say it in a corrective manner, then it’s appropriate for you to reply this way.

I’ll Work on It

Another way you can show contrition if you’re the type who’s quick to always say what they know without acknowledging others is to promise to work on it.

Let them know you’re willing to work on your flaws and if the person is kind, they would also work on learning to accommodate you.

It Isn’t Bad Though If You Learn

When someone calls you a know-it-all, let them know that they would gain more if they learn from what you know.

A response like, “it isn’t bad though if you learn” is a suitable one for someone who feels jealous of your abilities. It shows you’re not concerned about what they think.

You’ll Learn When You Stop Being Jealous 

Another reply to give someone who labels you know-it-all for trying to share your knowledge is to let them know you’re aware of their jealousy.

Something like, “you’ll learn when you stop being jealous” is a smart retort that’ll hit home well.

I Know, Right?

Showing an unconcerned attitude to someone who calls you a know-it-all will get to them very quickly. Something you can use when someone calls you know-it-all is, “I know, right?”

In this way, you’re acknowledging that you’re aware that you know a lot, and saying it nonchalantly will piss them off more.

Agreed

Another thing you can say to someone who calls you a know-it-all that’ll get to them is, “agreed.” This one word is enough to make them more annoyed.

First, they probably called you that to spite you, so agreeing with them is something they wouldn’t have been expecting. So, say it offhandedly and continue with whatever you’re doing; it’ll get to them more.

Focus On What You Know Then

Another suitable reply for someone who calls you a know-it-all is to tell them to focus on what they know.

Since they’re bothered that you’ve all-around knowledge, tell them they can pay attention to what they know instead of focusing on you. This is a smart reply to get them off your business.

Conclusion

When someone calls you a know-it-all, it’s usually out of jealousy or a feeling of intimidation about not being able to match what you know.

Also, it could be that they’re genuinely pissed with you for not giving anyone a chance to say their mind.

So, you’ll need a smart retort for anyone who calls you a know-it-all out of jealousy.

However, if you’re aware of your flaws in monopolizing a conversation, own up to it, especially if they spoke to you correctly.