8 Classy Phrases To Use When Admitting You Don’t Know Something

No one can know everything.

A man and a woman are sitting at a desk, focused on writing and reviewing documents. The woman is wearing glasses, and both have pens in hand. A laptop and notebooks are on the desk, with a plant visible in the background by a window.

So it should be a normal thing to be humble enough to admit you need help.

Unfortunately, that’s not the world we live in.

So many people don’t want to admit they don’t know something because they’re afraid of looking stupid.

They feel like expressing vulnerability is admitting incompetence.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

It takes strength and character to admit you don’t know something and to ask for help from someone who does.

It’s a character trait that reasonable people respect.

Frankly, most people prefer it, because it means they don’t have to sweep up the mess that’s made when someone tries to blag their way through something they don’t know how to do.

So how do you admit that you don’t know something whilst keeping it classy and humble? Let’s find out.

1. Avoid guessing. Be direct and honest.

Two men are conversing in a coffee shop. One, in a plaid jacket, is gesturing with a teacup. The other, wearing glasses and a blue shirt, is leaning against a wooden counter, also gesturing. Coffee-themed décor is visible in the background.

Depending on the situation, try saying something like:

“Hey, can I get a second opinion on <the thing>? I think I’m supposed to do <whatever it is you think you’re supposed to do>. Is that correct?”

“Wow, that’s fascinating. I don’t know enough about it to give an informed opinion, but I’d love to hear more.”

Don’t guess. If you guess, you may wind up confidently wrong, which can either cause damage that needs to be corrected, or embarrassment for you when people realize.

It could be that you’re dealing with a client at work who you’re trying to help, but you can’t remember a particular legal policy that would apply. You could do some serious damage if you take a guess and get it wrong.

Or maybe a friend asks for your opinion on a topic you have no knowledge about. You don’t want them to think you’re ignorant and uninformed so you take a punt, but end up flustered and contradicting yourself.

In situations like this, it’s best to resist the temptation to guess and be honest and direct about your lack of knowledge.

2. Express a willingness to learn about the situation.

Two people are sitting across from each other at a table in a bright, airy café. One person is wearing an orange shirt and smiling, while the other person, facing away from the camera, is engaged in conversation. A teapot and cups are on the table.

Try these:

“Hey! I understand that you know a lot about <the thing>. Can you explain to me how to do <the thing>? Or show me what I’m missing please?”

“Hm. I don’t know. Let’s look it up together.”

People love to teach and show others what they know, particularly if it’s something they’re passionate about.

You can tap into that by expressing your willingness to learn from someone who knows what you need to know.

This approach can also soften the blow in the workplace where stress often causes negative reactions.

3. Use humor when appropriate.

Two women are sitting by a window, smiling and talking while holding disposable coffee cups. They appear to be enjoying a casual conversation, dressed in light-colored tops, with natural light streaming in from outside.

Try:

“I’ve been fighting with <the thing> for a while now and it’s really kicking my butt. Could you give me a hand with it real quick?”

“Well, that’s a mystery to me! Let me see if I can find an answer for you.”

Humor is an excellent way to make an ask and smooth out a landing.

It helps take the tension out of a situation, calms nerves, and casually approaches the problem.

The feeling of lower stakes can make the situation more relaxed which is helpful in a work environment where stress may run high.

A light, friendly interaction can make the situation feel more like a friendly exchange than another work responsibility to deal with.

4. Ask for guidance on the situation.

Two people are standing by a glass board with colorful sticky notes. One person is pointing at a note with a pen, while the other observes with a thoughtful expression. They appear to be collaborating in a bright office setting.

Try these:

“Hey, I’m having a problem with <the thing>. Do you know where I can find the solution off-hand?”

“I’m having some trouble with <the thing>. Could you point me in the direction of where I might find info on how to do it?”

Instead of directly asking for help from someone who might be busy, try asking them where you might find the information you’re looking for.

That way you don’t have to feel like you’re imposing something on someone who’s already swamped.

The additional benefit of this approach is that they may decide it’s just easier to show you what you need to know without you having to ask.

It’s an indirect way of asking for help when you need it.

Granted, direct communication often leads to the best results because there is a clear understanding of what you need. But sometimes that’s not always the best approach.

5. Highlight the complexity of the issue.

A man and a woman are having a serious discussion in an office. The man is wearing a white shirt and glasses, and the woman is in a gray suit. A notebook and pen are on the table between them.

Are you trying to solve a complicated problem? If so, use that as a way to admit that you don’t know what you need to know.

“Hey. I’m having a really hard time with <the thing> because of <complex reason>. I’m trying <whatever you’re trying>. Am I getting this right?”

“I’m not sure of the specifics for that problem, it’s quite a complex one. We should probably double-check the policy to be sure.”

There are plenty of complicated concepts and duties that are easy to get wrong if you’re missing a key piece of information. Take the approach of asking the appropriate person if they have that key piece of information.

This is another situation where it’s far better to ask, rather than guess if you’re unsure.

A complex mistake often needs a complex solution, which may be time-consuming or costly if you get it wrong. You’ll be far better off in the long term by asking.

6. Openly communicate that you simply don’t know.

A man with a beard and a checked shirt, and a woman with long hair and a white tank top, are standing by a window in a bright room, holding white mugs and having a conversation.

You could say something like:

“I don’t know how to do <the thing>. Can you please show me how to do it?”

“I don’t think I know how to do that. Why don’t we figure it out?”

No one can know everything. No one should be expected to know everything.

That’s not how it always works out, but that’s how we hope it can be. Still, a good way to broach the subject is to acknowledge your limitations.

You may be afraid of that vulnerability, but it’s okay to have flaws.

This approach is a direct way to make your point and ask for help. It’s also one of the least complicated ways you can go about asking for help.

7. Reframe it as an opportunity for collaboration.

A diverse group of four people sit together in a circle, engaged in discussion. One person holds a notebook, another a laptop. The setting is a well-lit room with soft natural light coming through large windows.

Try these phrases:

“I’m not entirely sure about this. Would you like to brainstorm some ideas together?”

“This is an interesting challenge. Maybe we could put our heads together and figure it out as a team?”

Sometimes, admitting you don’t know something can be turned into a chance for teamwork. This approach not only helps you get the information you need but also strengthens relationships with colleagues or friends.

By inviting others to join you in finding a solution, you create a positive, collaborative atmosphere that can lead to better outcomes and shared learning experiences.

8. Acknowledge your strengths while admitting gaps.

You might say:

“While I’m well-versed in X, I’m not as familiar with Y. Could you help me understand it better?”

“My expertise is more in A and B, but I’d love to learn more about C from you.”

When you need to admit you don’t know something, it can help to balance that admission with a reminder of your strengths or areas of expertise. This approach maintains your confidence while still being honest about your limitations.

It’s a tactful way to show that while you may not know everything, you still bring value to the situation and are eager to expand your knowledge.

Finally…

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.

The ability to humbly admit that you don’t know something is a powerful skill that fosters openness, honesty, and learning.

Humility allows you to more easily acknowledge your limitations, providing you with guidance that leads to greater growth. After all, the pursuit of knowledge is an unending journey.

Encourage questions, stay open-minded, and express gratitude to those who journey with you.

In doing so, you’ll not only encourage curiosity but build relationships with the people around you.

An environment that encourages questions and embraces the unknown will open doors for everyone to learn.