Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.51 in modern English

Syllables: a lit-tle -knowl-edge is a -dan-ger-ous thing
IPA

48

Scrabble Score

33

Letters

7

Syllables

15

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

A limited understanding of a subject can lead individuals to overestimate their expertise, often resulting in errors or misguided decisions due to false confidence.

Example Sentences

"Of course anybody can saw off a limb; but here, as so often happens, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and a little more will often save a dear old friend of the family and the neighborhood."

Etymology

A slight misquotation of Alexander Pope’s a little learning is a dangerous thing. The earliest use dates from a magazine published in 1774.

Phrases

Dunning-Kruger effect unknown unknown zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse

Frequently Paired Words

Dunning-Kruger effect infohazard unknown unknown zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse

Synonyms

a little learning is a dangerous thing

Questions

What does a little knowledge is a dangerous thing mean?: A limited understanding of a subject can lead individuals to overestimate their expertise, often resulting in errors or misguided decisions due to false confidence.
Where does a little knowledge is a dangerous thing come from?: A slight misquotation of Alexander Pope’s a little learning is a dangerous thing. The earliest use dates from a magazine published in 1774.

How to pronounce a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

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