How to Pronounce "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know"
expression
Definition
This expression means that it's safer or wiser to deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation or person you already know than to risk something unknown, which could be even worse.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbɛtɝ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɛvəɫ/ /ˈju/ /ˈnoʊ/ /ˈðæn/, /ðən/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɛvəɫ/ /ˈju/ /ˈdoʊn/, /ˈdoʊnt/ /ˈnoʊ
British English
bˈɛtɐ/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɛvəl/ /jˈuː/ /nˈəʊ/ /ðˈɐn/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɛvəl/ /jˈuː/ /dəʊnt/ /nˈəʊ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BET-er thuh DEV-uhl yoo NOH than thuh DEV-uhl yoo DON'T noh
UK
BET-uh thuh DEV-uhl yoo NOH than thuh DEV-uhl yoo DON'T noh
Listen in Context
My old boss is tough, but better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
She stayed at her job because better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
When faced with two bad options, he remembered, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.'
You may not love your apartment, but remember, better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.