12 Snarky Things To Say When Someone Underestimates Your Intelligence

These firm comebacks can put the other person in their place.

Two women are sitting at a table in a café, holding coffee cups and engaged in conversation. One woman has blonde hair and a gray suit, while the other has brown hair and a dark blazer. The background features wooden walls and soft lighting.

It’s annoying (and insulting) when people you meet seriously underestimate your intelligence. Whether they’re assuming that you’re ignorant about a topic, or condescending toward you because they have an overblown sense of their own brilliance, there are a number of things you can say to curb their behavior. Most of these are contextual, so you may need to adapt the language to suit your situation.

1. Reply with a deep understanding of the subject.

Two women are sitting at a wooden table in a cozy café, engaged in an animated conversation. Each has a takeaway coffee cup in front of them, along with their smartphones. One woman is gesturing with her hands, while the other listens attentively.

There’s a scene in the movie Good Will Hunting in which the titular character silences someone who was belittling him by expanding upon the topic he was droning on about, with far greater knowledge and understanding of the subject. This approach is often far more effective than a glib comeback.

2. “And what made you think that I didn’t know that already?”

A woman and a man sit across from each other at a table in a cafe, engaging in conversation. Both have cups of coffee in front of them, and there are papers and glasses on the table. The background features large windows.

This will force the other person to explain why they underestimated your intelligence, leading to one of two outcomes: either they’ll backtrack and apologize for their misstep, or they’ll double down about their condescension and dig themselves into a deeper hole. Either way, they’ll curb such behavior toward you in the future.

3. “Do you feel a need to teach me to blink and swallow as well?”

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a light-colored coat, gestures with her right hand and appears to be talking to a man in a beige jacket. The conversation takes place outdoors, with blurred lights illuminating the background.

You can use this one in a slightly bemused, almost mocking tone, thus letting the person know that you’re thoroughly unimpressed by their actions. They might think they’re terribly erudite by explaining something to you, while your response implies that their great knowledge is beyond basic from your standpoint.

4. “I suggest that in the future, you ask someone about their familiarity before giving them a lecture on something they already know.”

A woman in professional attire engages in a discussion with a man across a desk in an office setting. The desk has a laptop, a potted plant, and documents, including a colorful chart. The woman is gesturing, suggesting she's explaining or emphasizing a point.

Far too often, people will assume that the individual they’re talking to doesn’t already know about the subject they’re discussing, and will launch into “professor mode” about it. When and if this happens, call them out on their assumption and make sure they understand why they messed up.

5. “I know more than you.”

Two individuals are engaged in a conversation indoors. One person, holding a white mug, appears to be speaking, while the other individual is listening attentively. They are dressed casually, and the setting features large windows and modern decor.

Sometimes, when a person is belittling you about a topic in which you’re an expert, you simply need to channel your inner Ron Swanson and offer a one-liner like this one before walking away. You don’t need to be scathing in response: simply state the fact and be on your way.

6. “You don’t say.”

Two men engaged in a discussion in a modern office setting. One man in a yellow hoodie gestures while the other, in a gray and navy shirt, sits on a desk with a laptop in front of him. Both appear to be intently exchanging ideas or opinions.

This is another one-liner that’ll put someone in their place if they simultaneously underestimate your intelligence and overestimate their own ability. People who behave like this are usually overcompensating for low self-esteem, so a dismissive snark like this one can often silence them effectively.

7. “I see that you’re unfamiliar with my experience in this subject.”

Two women are sitting at a table engaged in a conversation. The woman on the right, wearing a dark polka-dotted shirt, gestures with her hand while speaking, and the woman on the left, wearing light-colored clothing, listens attentively. A laptop is on the table.

A response like this can be worth its weight in gold if the other person has no idea who you are, or how experienced you are in whatever they’re condescending to you about. It’s in a moment like that when they start questioning their life choices, as well as their perspectives.

8. “My knowledge in _____ may challenge your assumptions.”

A man and woman sit on blue chairs in an airport, engaged in conversation. The man gestures animatedly while the woman, with her arm around his shoulder, listens attentively. A laptop rests on the man's lap, and a black backpack and yoga mat are nearby.

Some responses are quite contextual, so an adaptation of this can be used in various circumstances. For example, if someone implies that you’ll have difficulty understanding a medical reference, and you teach anatomy or biology, calling them out like this does wonders for putting them in their place.

9. “I have already forgotten more than you can learn about this subject.”

A man with red hair and a beard, dressed in a light blue shirt, gestures and speaks during a meeting. A woman with long brown hair, also wearing a light blue shirt, listens attentively. Other people are seated at the table with notepads and laptops visible.

If you’re an expert in a subject and they’re showing off or being condescending (especially if what they’re saying is wrong), you can point out to them that their actions are the equivalent of telling a parent of 10 children how to change a diaper.

10. “I bet third graders are really impressed by you.”

Two men having a conversation in an office. One is seated, wearing glasses, a blue blazer, and holding a smartphone. The other is standing, wearing a white turtleneck and resting his arm on the back of the chair, looking at the seated man.

The average IQ worldwide is around 90, so most people you meet are likely to assume that your intelligence hovers around that median marker. By implying that what they’re saying to you is elementary, you’re letting them know in no uncertain terms that you’re far smarter than they give you credit for.

11. “I don’t see any imbeciles around here, so why are you speaking to me as though I were one?”

Two men are engaged in conversation. The man on the left has glasses, a beard, and is wearing a pink shirt. The man on the right has salt-and-pepper hair, wears a hat and a dark jacket. The background appears to be a casual indoor setting.

If you’ve ever had someone speak to you like you’re a pair of trousers, you know how demeaning that can feel. Should someone address you in a slow, infantile voice like they’re speaking to a cognitively impaired toddler, call them out on that immediately and demand that they explain their behavior.

12. “You’re absolutely right.”

Two women are indoors having a conversation. One woman with brown hair and wearing a red patterned top looks away, while the other woman with wavy hair and wearing a checkered button-up shirt makes a gesture with her hand, appearing a bit skeptical or bemused.

Why waste the energy trying to convince a foolish person that they’re wrong? In some situations, let the person who’s underestimating your intelligence make a fool of themselves. If they’re insisting that 1+1 = 5, then yes, they’re right, well done. They aren’t worth engaging with any further.