better the devil you know than the devil you don't

idiom

used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation one knows than with a new person or situation that could be worse

Dictionary Entries Near better the devil you know than the devil you don't

better oneself

better the devil you know than the devil you don't

better-to-do

Cite this Entry

“Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/better%20the%20devil%20you%20know%20than%20the%20devil%20you%20don%27t. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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