you know

you know

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see you,‎ know.
2. (informal) Expression signifying a pause or hesitation.
   • 15 December, 2002, David Beckham on BBC Breakfast with Frost

     I don’t usually get nervous in games and, you know, taking free kicks and penalties but that’s the first time I’ve been that nervous in, in a game, where I have to, I’m in a situation where I’m, you know... - BBC Interview with David Beckham

   • 2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight, spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):

     Once, I remember, I was watching the twins on a trampoline, you know, and they looked so beautiful, and I was happy because they were happy, you know.

3. (informal) Expression used to imply meaning, rather than say it, such as when a person is embarrassed.

   A: I heard you want to do that thing with me.
   B: Do what?
   A: You know... umm...
   B: Oh, do you mean sex?
   A: Yeah... that.

4. (informal) Used as a rhetorical question to confirm agreement, knowing or understanding at the end of a statement.

   But I guess that's life, you know?

   I just wasn't into it, you know?

   • 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 198:

     This was already a fresh departure for me. I was not used to get things that way, you know.

5. (informal) Used to introduce information.

   You know, he's actually pretty nice.

   • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Engineering, SSV Normandy:

     Tali: You know, there's always a few who go on their Pilgrimages and never return. I always assumed something bad happened to them, but maybe they just wanted a different life.

   • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     You know, Pete, I am new to D.C. The city is big. — Yeah. But you learn a little more every day.

     Audio (US)

     (file)

• y'know
• yunno (slang, pronunciation spelling)

• don't you know
• you see
• (generic fillers): right, like; er, erm, um
• (confirming attention, understanding, and/or agreement): do you know what I'm saying, you know what I'm saying, right, eh

• filler phrase

• you-know-who