What can you say instead of “I don't know”?

What it means

• Polite, good for work: I'm not sure, but I can find out.
• Casual, with friends: I have no idea. / Beats me!
• Helpful, with your boss: I'll look into it. / That's a good question. Let me check.

Transcript

Tap a line to play it.

1. 0:00Do you always say, “I don't know”?
2. 0:02Let's upgrade that.
3. 0:03Here are five better ways to say it, just like a native speaker.
4. 0:08One: “I'm not sure.” Polite and professional.
5. 0:13I'm not sure, but I can find out.
6. 0:16Two: “I have no idea.” Casual and expressive.
7. 0:21I have no idea what he meant by that.
8. 0:24Three: “Beats me.” Very casual, often humorous.
9. 0:29Beats me. I wasn't even there.
10. 0:32Four: “I'll look into it.” Helpful and proactive.
11. 0:37I don't know yet, but I'll look into it.
12. 0:40Five: “That's a good question.” Friendly and thoughtful.
13. 0:45That's a good question. Let me check.

Quick quiz

1. Question 1 of 2

   What does “Beats me” mean?

   AI won the gameBSomeone hit meCI'm very tiredDI don't know

2. Question 2 of 2

   Your boss asks you something at work. You don't know yet. What is the best answer?

   ABeats me.BI have no idea.CWho cares?DI don't know yet, but I'll look into it.