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idiom

better the devil you know

BET-er thuh DEV-ul yoo NOH

ˈbɛtər ðə ˈdɛvəl juː noʊ

Listen

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Syllable breakdown

betterthedevilyouknow

Dictionary meaning

It is better to deal with a familiar problem than risk an unknown alternative.

Examples

  • They kept the flawed existing system — better the devil you know.

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