not in the know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in the know" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone who has not been informed about something. For example: "The new employees were not in the know about the company's latest project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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Vice

His chief aide, Viktor Ilyushin, was not in the know.

The Guardian

Lot of people who are usually in the know are not in the know.

The Washington Post

Annuities, for those not in the know, are an income for life.

The Guardian - Money

For those not in the know, Trismas is a pun on drummer Tristan Evans's name.

The Guardian - Music

We arrived at 7 p.m. and were obviously the only ones not in the know.

The New York Times

Without turning round, I calmly replied: "Well you're obviously not in the know pal – I play for Wimbledon now".

Independent

For those not in the know, the way you keep a snowmobile going is to continuously depress the thumb throttle.

The New York Times

Mr. Brokaw said of Ms. Miller's tabloid reputation: "I'm so not in the know about things like that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

MOTOKRZR [PRDCT PGE].

TechCrunch

For those not in-the-know, the Red One is the first camera by Red, the digital video company founded by Oakley's creator James Jannard.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not in the know" to politely indicate someone lacks specific information without implying incompetence or fault. This phrasing is especially useful when explaining background details to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "not in the know". While generally polite, overuse or incorrect application can inadvertently suggest someone should have been informed, potentially causing offense. Ensure your tone remains helpful and not accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in the know" functions as an adjective phrase, typically following a form of the verb 'to be'. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a state of lacking specific knowledge or awareness about a particular subject or situation. The examples show its use in clarifying contexts for others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not in the know" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to politely indicate a lack of specific information or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources and is considered to have a neutral tone, suitable for broad audiences. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure the tone remains helpful rather than accusatory. Alternatives such as ""unaware"" or ""out of the loop"" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "not in the know" is a useful expression for gently guiding those who need additional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of the loop

Indicates exclusion from important information or discussions.

in the dark

Emphasizes a state of being uninformed or kept secret from.

unaware

Single word replacement that means lacking knowledge of a situation or fact.

uninformed

Implies a lack of information, often due to not being told.

ignorant

Highlights a lack of knowledge, sometimes with a negative connotation.

clueless

Suggests a complete lack of understanding or awareness.

oblivious

Suggests a lack of awareness, often due to being preoccupied or disinterested.

not privy to

Highlights that someone is not authorized to know certain information.

out of touch

Implies a lack of current knowledge or understanding.

without inside information

More formal, indicating a lack of access to exclusive knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "not in the know" in a sentence?

You can use "not in the know" to explain that someone lacks specific information. For instance, "For those "out of the loop", the meeting has been rescheduled" or "He wasn't "privy to" the details of the negotiation".

What's a less common way to say "not in the know"?

While "not in the know" is already fairly uncommon, consider using phrases like "without inside information" or stating directly that someone lacks specific knowledge or is "unaware".

Is it correct to say "not in the knowing" instead of "not in the know"?

No, "not in the knowing" is not a standard English phrase. The correct and widely accepted expression is "not in the know".

When is it appropriate to use "not in the know" versus "uninformed"?

"Not in the know" is generally a more polite and indirect way of saying someone is "uninformed". Use "not in the know" when you want to gently indicate a lack of information without implying any fault or negligence.