Idiom idiom
a little learning is a dangerous thing
Meaning
People who don't understand something fully are dangerous
Examples
“He thinks he is a doctor, but a little learning is a dangerous thing.”
“After watching one video, he tried to fix the electrical wires, forgetting that a little learning is a dangerous thing.”
“The manager warned the new staff that a little learning is a dangerous thing, especially when handling complex legal documents without proper training.”
Origin
first recorded 18th c. disputed origin
first recorded 18th c. disputed origin
From Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism (1711); often misquoted as 'a little knowledge'.
Last updated June 7, 2026