get wise
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He was getting wise, so I cracked him one.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To become aware of or see through a deception.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “get wise” mean?
To be impertinent.
Is “get wise” formal or informal?
get wise is generally slang.