be not to know
The phrase "be not to know" is often used in British English to indicate that someone could not have known something due to a lack of information or because they were not supposed to know.
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🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal, british)To be unaware or ignorant of something due to lack of information.
Example
- You weren't to know that the meeting was canceled.
B2General
(informal, british)To not be able to predict or realize something in advance.
Example
- We are not to know what the future holds.
B2Conditional
(informal, british)Used to indicate that someone was not expected to have certain information.
Example
- You weren't to know that she was planning a surprise.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "be not to know":