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Glite Dictionary
you know what

you know what

797 7.5
To say something new or surprising to get someone's attention
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : sabes qué
  • Just to bring up in conversation, you know what I mean?
  • you know what I mean
  • Well, you know what

And and I was like, you know what, let's just do one.

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Examples

  • You know what I'd really like?

    The Cobweb (1955)

  • We could have made such a beautiful team, and you know what?

    Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)

  • OK, you know what day it is?

  • I would want to say like, you know what I mean?

  • And we were in a car, you know what I mean?

  • Well, we thought that was how it was, you know what I mean?

  • We're pretty sure you know what's going on.

    Knox Goes Away (2024)

  • You know what, you come with me.

    A Man Called Otto (2022)

  • Oy, you know what I like best about running this shop?

    Elemental (2023)

  • You know what? This new policy will really help everyone in the community.

Synonyms

now
vsyou know what
∞ 1.0

To get attention before a command or new topic

is generally more tentative or casual when bringing up a point
by the way
vsyou know what
  • Informal
448 1.5

To introduce a new topic that is not directly related

is more about attracting attention or stressing a point directly
let me tell you
vsyou know what
  • Informal
64 4.4

To start a story or show that what follows is important

is more casual, used to shift topic or emphasize briefly
look here
vsyou know what
  • Informal
61 6.9

To get a person's attention before saying something important or angry

is less forceful and more conversational when introducing remarks
mind you
vsyou know what
  • Informal
44 6.9

Adds a short extra point or contrast after a statement

is used to introduce or shift topics rather than qualify remarks
here's the thing
vsyou know what
  • Informal
43 7.2

A phrase that introduces the most important point in a discussion

is broader, used to draw attention or shift topics generally
come to think of it
vsyou know what
  • Informal
15 5.3

Say this when you suddenly remember or think of something

is more general, used to draw attention or make remarks
another thing
vsyou know what
11 1.6

A phrase to add an extra point and mention a problem when speaking or writing

is broader, used to start remarks or emphasize a point
come to mention it
vsyou know what
  • UK
1 7.1

Saying this shows you have just remembered something related

is less about memory and more about shifting or emphasizing topics

How Emphatic

actually
∞ 1.0
you know what
  • Informal
797 7.5
to listen
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

you know what main

Morphology

you + know + what

There is a partial, predictable connection because 'know' + 'what' literally point toward knowledge of some content, so learners might guess it introduces information. However, its conventionalized pragmatic function as a discourse marker/filler that signals 'listen' or 'I'm about to say something' is not fully derivable from the words alone and typically requires exposure; similar conversational forms exist in many languages, which gives limited extra cueing.

Etymology

The phrase you know what comes from the short question people used to ask, 'Do you know what?' When someone said it, they were trying to get attention or start a new topic. So, today you know what is used to 'start a new topic' or 'get someone's attention'.