ENGLISH
REFERENCE

we been knew

idiom
Meaning

a response to a statement or notion that is obvious or already widely known

Origin

disputed origin

Originates from African-American Vernacular English. Its first use dates back to the late 90s.

Examples
SIMPLE

You think they are dating? We been knew.

CONTEXTUAL

When the company finally announced the layoffs, the employees just shrugged and said we been knew.

COMPLEX

While the critics expressed shock at the scandal, the public remained unmoved, as we been knew the truth all along.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  2. 02

    as you know

    as it is already known.

  3. 03

    fuck if I know

    I have no idea whatsoever

  4. 04

    fuck knows

    I don't know; nobody knows; it is unclear.

  5. 05

    hell if I know

    Synonym of I don't know.

  6. 06

    I don't know about that

    I am not sure that I agree; expressing doubt or skepticism.

  7. 07

    I hardly know her

    A joking retort that draws attention to the possibility of sexual innuendo when a word ends with a schwar.

  8. 08

    it takes one to know one

    Expressing the same underlying character-judgment themes as pot calling the kettle black or set a thief to catch a thief.

Last updated April 17, 2026