Confidence can be a great asset, but when it crosses into overconfidence and there’s no substance to back it up, it just gets really annoying.
People who think they’re more intelligent than they are — and want everyone around them to believe it too — tend to say a lot of the same things to assert themselves, even if it’s basically a bunch of word salad that means nothing. If someone uses these turns of phrase a lot, you can bet they’re desperate to seem smart, but don’t have the actual knowledge to back it up.
1. “Actually, what you mean is…”
When someone jumps in to correct you over something small or irrelevant, it’s a clear sign of overconfidence. They’re trying to take the reins of the conversation, even if it’s just to prove they know more than you do. It can feel less like a proper discussion and more like a contest to see who’s right. People who really know their stuff usually let conversations flow without jumping in to nitpick every little thing.
2. “It’s basic logic, really.”
This usually pops up when someone’s trying to dismiss other points of view by implying their own reasoning is flawless and simple. The thing is, real logic is about understanding complexities, not just offering obvious answers or making things sound black and white. If someone’s using this line a lot, it often means they’re missing the deeper nuance that comes with genuinely intelligent discussions.
3. “I read somewhere that…”
People who use this often throw out vague, unprovable claims in a bid to sound knowledgeable. It’s the verbal equivalent of saying, “I’ve got a great fact for you,” but without anything concrete to back it up. If you want to seem well-read, you need to reference actual sources that people can check, not throw around unspecific “facts” that sound more like filler than anything useful.
4. “Let me explain it in simpler terms for you.”
At first glance, this may sound helpful, but it’s usually a way for someone to put themselves in a position of superiority. It’s often a subtle dig that suggests the other person can’t keep up. If someone truly understands something, they’ll find a way to explain it without making the other person feel like they’re being talked down to.
5. “Everyone knows that.”
This sweeping generalisation is often used to dismiss someone else’s opinion as irrelevant or uninformed. It’s an easy way to create the illusion of universal truth when, in fact, the issue might be far more nuanced. It doesn’t invite discussion — it just shuts it down. Conversations work best when people can explore differing viewpoints, not when one person tries to claim the only right answer.
6. “I could’ve done it better.”
This kind of comment usually comes up when someone’s critiquing someone else’s work without offering any helpful feedback. They’re simply trying to show that they’re more capable. But real expertise is about recognising people’s efforts and offering constructive input, not making vague, unproven claims about doing it better. If they could have, they should have. Otherwise, they need to be quiet.
7. “If you think about it…”
Source: Unsplash This is one of those phrases that often precedes a statement that’s painfully obvious or completely unoriginal. It’s an attempt to make something simple sound profound, which often falls flat. People who are really engaged with ideas don’t need to tell people to “think” before making a point. It’s a way to create the illusion of deep insight when, really, there’s not much there at all.
8. “Well, technically…”
This is often used by people who love to pick at tiny details or try to make something seem more complicated than it really is. They’re trying to sound precise, but often it just overcomplicates things unnecessarily. People who truly know their stuff focus on clarity and getting the point across, not on throwing in technicalities for the sake of it.
9. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Saying this shuts down the conversation entirely. It’s a way of making someone else feel inferior, as if they’re just not clever enough to get the point. Real intelligence involves being patient and finding ways to communicate ideas clearly. Dismissing someone’s ability to understand something just makes the speaker look insecure about their own knowledge.
10. “I’ve always been the smart one.”
Source: Unsplash Bragging about being the clever one rarely goes down well. It’s more about needing external validation than being genuinely confident in your abilities. People who truly know their stuff don’t need to keep bringing up how clever they are—they let their insights and contributions speak for themselves.
11. “It’s common knowledge.”
Source: Unsplash Using this as a defence for a weak point is a lazy way of trying to shut down any disagreement. It’s just a way to imply that if you don’t agree, you’re out of touch. Real conversations about knowledge involve explaining and exploring ideas—not just appealing to some vague “common knowledge” that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
12. “I always knew that.”
This usually pops up when someone wants to look ahead of the curve, even if they’re just catching up. It’s a way of avoiding admitting that they’re still learning, which is perfectly fine. True intelligence comes from acknowledging what you don’t know and being open to new things. Pretending to always know something just creates a false sense of authority.
13. “People don’t get me because I think differently.”
When someone says this, it often comes across as an excuse to justify being difficult or disconnected. It’s as if they’re positioning themselves as some misunderstood genius, when in reality, they might just be avoiding constructive feedback. Sure, having a unique perspective can be valuable, but framing it this way often just signals an inflated sense of self. Real insight doesn’t need to be validated by constantly claiming other people can’t understand it — it speaks for itself.
14. “I could teach this better than they can.”
Source: Unsplash This line usually comes from someone who’s quick to criticise people’s expertise but doesn’t offer any helpful advice in return. They’re trying to position themselves as the superior authority, even though they haven’t shown the skill or knowledge to back up their claim. Instead of genuinely contributing, they put everyone else down to make themselves look better. Real intelligence comes from helping people and offering constructive input, not tearing them down to prop yourself up.
