you know something?

1. Also, you know what? Listen to what I'm going to tell you, as in You know something? He's always hated spicy food, or You know what? They're not getting married after all. Both these colloquial expressions are shortenings (Of Do you know something? or Do you know what?) and are used to emphasize the following statement or to introduce a surprising fact or comment. The first dates from the mid-1900s. The variant, from the late 1800s, should not be confused with what do you know or you know.

Example Sentences

“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night,” intoned the veteran comedian.

From Slate

Would you know something like Medicare for all or a public option be something you see as a marquee policy, and you know, is there another policy that you think would be a winner for Democrats based on the conversations you have with your constituents?

From Salon

“I started screaming because I thought, you know, something bad was going to happen to me.”

From Los Angeles Times

"You're tired, you're confused, you think you know something... but anything can happen," she explained.

From BBC

“If you know something and don’t say anything about it, that means you’re in agreement. If you don’t say something, that means you’re OK with a 21-year-old child being gunned down in the street like a dog.”

From Los Angeles Times