better the devil you know than the one you don't
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: better the devil you know (than the one you don't)
Sense 1
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Sources & notes
Listed on English Wikiquote “English proverbs” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “better the devil you know than the one you don't” mean?
Alternative form of better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
Is “better the devil you know than the one you don't” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.