Meaning of Besserwisser | Babel Free

Definitions

A know-it-all, wiseguy, wiseacre, smart aleck.

Examples

“They are not Besserwissers; they just know⟳ better because they have⟳ had the experience⟳. Capitalism has no lure for them, as socialism does for their West Central European counterparts.”

“There is an authoritarian ring⟳ to many of the new approaches to the sociology of scientific knowledge, a Besserwisser attitude, whereby the sociologist knows best and does not need⟳ to consult⟳ with the object of his or her study⟳.”

“[…] that Adenauer was always a Besserwisser who was convinced that other people, even when they were heads of government in other countries, did not understand⟳ their own⟳ interests as well as he did […]”

“The proverb functions as a warning to a ‘Besserwisser’, because at the end⟳ a ‘know-it-all’ will drive⟳ away even his or her best friends.”

CEFR level