In a world obsessed with appearing knowledgeable, few phrases seem more uncomfortable to utter than the humble “I don’t know.” For some, it feels like admitting defeat or revealing a flaw in their intellect. Instead of embracing uncertainty, many people scramble for ways to sound confident—even when they’re completely lost.
The result? A fascinating collection of verbal gymnastics—phrases that sound smart on the surface but often mean absolutely nothing underneath. From vague excuses to overconfident guesses, these responses are proof that humans will do almost anything to avoid sounding uninformed.
Here are sixteen of the most common (and unintentionally hilarious) things people say just to sidestep those three honest words.
1. “It’s complicated.”
This phrase is the go-to escape hatch for anyone caught in conversational quicksand. It sounds deep, intellectual, and slightly mysterious, but it rarely adds any clarity. Most of the time, “It’s complicated” is simply a way to avoid admitting confusion.
It gives the illusion that the speaker understands the topic on a level too complex to explain to mere mortals. In truth, it’s often a cover for “I’m not sure what’s going on either.” The next time someone drops this line, ask them to explain—and watch how quickly the “complexity” evaporates.
2. “Well, it depends.”
This phrase can be valid—some answers do depend on context—but it’s also one of the most common ways people dodge giving a clear answer. Saying “it depends” makes the speaker sound thoughtful and analytical, even when they have no idea what the variables are.
It’s a convenient buffer. It buys time, sounds reasonable, and keeps the person from committing to anything specific. In other words, it’s the verbal equivalent of holding a question at arm’s length and hoping it loses interest.
Read more: 14 Subtle Ways People Manipulate You Without Even Knowing They’re Doing It
3. “I’ve heard…”
When someone begins with “I’ve heard,” what follows is usually a mixture of rumor, half-truth, and guesswork. It’s the perfect way to sound informed while still protecting oneself from being wrong.
This phrase creates distance between the speaker and the statement: “I’m not saying it’s true, but someone said it once, so I’ll repeat it just in case.” It’s conversational insurance—safe to use, but rarely helpful.
4. “That’s a good question.”
It sounds flattering, but this line often masks a moment of panic. When someone says “That’s a good question,” they’re usually stalling, hoping the right answer will materialize while they buy a few extra seconds.
It’s also a clever diversion. By praising the question, they subtly shift attention away from themselves and onto the person asking it. Suddenly, they seem appreciative and wise—even though they’re quietly scrambling for answers.
5. “I read somewhere that…”
This is the conversational cousin of “I’ve heard.” It suggests authority without specifics. “Somewhere” could mean a respected scientific journal—or a random social media post.
People use it to sound well-informed, but without a source, it’s little more than a decorative phrase. Still, it sounds confident enough that most listeners won’t challenge it, which makes it one of the most popular ways to disguise uncertainty.
6. “I’m pretty sure it’s like…”
Confidence without confirmation—that’s what this phrase represents. It softens the uncertainty just enough to sound credible while leaving room for correction later.
It’s the kind of phrase people use when they think they know but don’t want to commit. The words “pretty sure” create a comfortable cushion between truth and assumption, letting someone speak without full accountability.
7. “You’d be surprised.”
This vague statement is often dropped like a bomb of intrigue. It suggests there’s some mind-blowing fact behind the curtain, even if the person has no idea what that fact actually is.
“You’d be surprised” gives the illusion of insider knowledge. It keeps the listener curious while quietly concealing the speaker’s lack of specifics. It’s a magician’s trick—distracting and impressive, but mostly smoke and mirrors.
8. “It’s kind of like…”
When someone starts comparing something to something else, it’s often a sign they’re improvising. The analogy might not fit perfectly, but it helps fill the silence.
This phrase reveals a mental scramble—the speaker is trying to connect vague dots, hoping the listener won’t notice the guesswork involved. The result is usually a confusing analogy that leaves everyone more puzzled than before.
9. “Well, everyone knows that…”
This statement might sound confident, but it’s really a pressure tactic. When someone says “everyone knows,” they’re relying on social conformity to shut down questions. No one wants to be the one person who doesn’t know, after all.
It’s a bold move that sounds factual but lacks evidence. It’s meant to discourage doubt while disguising uncertainty. In short, it’s a bluff—delivered with just enough confidence to pass as common sense.
10. “I think it has something to do with…”
This one’s the verbal version of waving vaguely at a whiteboard. It signals that the speaker recognizes the general topic but doesn’t understand the details.
They might remember a fragment of information—something they once heard in a documentary or conversation—but not enough to form a clear answer. It’s a classic placeholder phrase, bridging the gap between “no idea” and “sort of remembering something.”
11. “I’m not 100% sure, but…”
This phrase starts with honesty but quickly backtracks into uncertainty disguised as confidence. It’s a preemptive disclaimer that lets the speaker say whatever they want afterward without full responsibility.
It’s like saying, “I might be wrong, but I’m going to say it anyway.” It sounds fair, but it often leaves listeners confused about what’s actually true.
12. “It’s basically…”
This phrase suggests simplification, but more often, it’s oversimplification. The speaker reduces something complex into a vague generalization, often losing accuracy in the process.
People use “It’s basically…” to sound knowledgeable while skipping the technical parts. It’s an easy shortcut—but one that often leads to misunderstandings.
13. “It’s common sense.”
When someone uses this line, it usually means they don’t have an explanation—or they can’t be bothered to provide one. “It’s common sense” ends conversations by implying the other person should already understand.
It’s also a subtle power move. It shifts blame from the speaker’s lack of knowledge to the listener’s supposed lack of awareness. Ironically, what’s called “common sense” often isn’t common—or even sensible.
14. “I could be wrong, but…”
This is the humble version of uncertainty. It’s a safety net for people who want to sound modest yet knowledgeable. It lowers the risk of embarrassment if they’re wrong, while allowing them to sound thoughtful if they’re right.
However, this phrase also makes it easy to deliver misinformation under the guise of humility. It sounds polite, but it’s still a way to avoid the honesty of simply saying “I don’t know.”
15. “That’s just how it is.”
This statement usually marks the end of a discussion. It’s a polite way of saying, “I can’t explain it, so let’s stop talking about it.”
It carries a tone of finality and resignation, as though the topic is too big to question. But more often, it’s a sign of conversational fatigue—someone who’s run out of things to say but doesn’t want to admit it.
16. “Trust me.”
Few phrases are more suspicious than “trust me.” When someone asks for trust instead of offering facts, it’s usually because they don’t have any. It’s confidence standing in for knowledge.
The phrase can be persuasive in tone but empty in content. It relies on authority rather than accuracy, making it one of the most charmingly unconvincing ways to dodge the truth.
Read more: 15 Signs That Your Inner Child Is Still Hurting and Needs Reassurance
The Honest Alternative
Instead of reaching for vague or evasive phrases, imagine if more people simply said:
- “I’m not sure, but I can find out.”
- “That’s interesting—let’s look into it.”
- “I don’t know yet, but I’d like to learn.”
These responses don’t shut down a conversation—they expand it. They show curiosity, honesty, and emotional intelligence.
Because at the end of the day, nobody knows everything. Pretending otherwise only limits growth. But the courage to say “I don’t know”? That’s where genuine knowledge begins.
Featured image: Freepik.
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