We’ve all met someone who talks like a walking TED Talk, corrects you mid-sentence, and acts like your presence in the conversation is optional.
Their confidence can be loud, condescending, and exhausting, not to mention completely obnoxious. However, just because someone thinks they’re smarter than you doesn’t mean you have to sit there and take it. You don’t need to out-shout them or prove your IQ—you just need a few clever ways to level the playing field. These smart, subtle, and surprisingly effective tactics can help shut them down for good.
1. Ask them to explain—slowly.
If they’re throwing around big words or acting like they’ve cracked the code to the universe, ask them to break it down “like you’re five.” This isn’t to mock them, just to make sure you’re following. The more you ask them to simplify, the clearer it becomes whether they actually know what they’re saying or just enjoy the sound of their own voice.
This tactic is disarming. It forces them out of their script and into actual explanation. If they’re bluffing, it’ll show. If they’re legit, they’ll be able to explain without attitude. Either way, you’ll have changed the power dynamic without ever raising your voice.
2. Say, “Interesting take—what would that look like in real life?”
People who love sounding smart often keep things abstract. Asking how their big idea plays out in the real world cuts through the fluff. You’re not attacking—you’re asking for application. If they fumble, you’ve already made your point. This strategy puts them on the spot, but in a relaxed way. It demands more than words—it asks for thought. Plus, it makes it clear that you’re not here to be impressed by theory alone.
3. Let silence do the heavy lifting.
When someone finishes their showy rant, don’t jump in. Just pause. Hold eye contact. Let the silence settle. It’s uncomfortable for them, and powerful for you. People who think they’re the smartest in the room thrive on reaction. When you give them none, they’re thrown off balance. You’re not being rude—you’re just refusing to feed their performance.
4. Respond with facts, not emotion.
It’s tempting to snap back when someone’s being arrogant, but the most effective comeback is calm, informed, and precise. Facts cut through ego far better than frustration ever will. When you deliver solid points with zero drama, you highlight the gap between sound and substance. They’ll look more flustered the more composed you stay.
5. Flip the script with a compliment.
This one’s unexpected. Say something like, “You sound like you’ve really studied this—what’s your background in it?” It throws them off the offensive and onto a new track entirely. If they’re bluffing, they’ll squirm. If they’re not, they’ll still be caught off guard by the change in tone. Either way, you’re in control of the direction now, not them.
6. Ask them what they’d do differently.
When someone constantly critiques your ideas or decisions, ask them directly, “What would you have done instead?” It flips the focus from tearing things down to building something better. Doing this makes them take ownership. It’s easy to sound clever when you’re pointing out flaws—much harder when you’re asked to offer a workable alternative.
7. Use humour to disarm.
Sometimes, a cheeky line is your best defence. A playful, “You’ve clearly rehearsed this one” or “Should I be taking notes?” gets your point across without creating tension. Humour softens the blow while making your stance clear. It shows you’re not threatened, and that arrogance doesn’t impress you. That’s often enough to knock them back a peg.
8. Get ultra-specific in your rebuttal.
General disagreements just lead to more general arrogance. However, if you reply with specific examples or real-life cases that contradict their claim, they’re forced to engage with actual details. People who posture often rely on vague statements and big-picture talk. Precision is your quiet power—it puts the conversation back in reality.
9. Ask, “What makes you say that?”
This question seems innocent, but it’s actually powerful. It puts the burden of explanation on them, and often reveals how flimsy their argument really is. It also keeps you out of reactive mode. You’re not attacking, you’re just curious—and in doing so, you’re moving the focus back to their thinking instead of your response.
10. Let the group dynamic do the work.
Know-it-alls often dominate group settings. If you step back and let other people chime in, the tone usually changes. People get tired of arrogance quickly, and someone else might call it out without you having to. This lets you keep your cool and watch the room regulate itself. Sometimes, the smartest move is to let silence and other voices do the talking.
11. Acknowledge and redirect.
If they’ve gone on for too long, nod politely and say something like, “That’s an interesting angle—let’s hear someone else’s view.” You’re not dismissing them, just opening the floor. This is a graceful way to reclaim space without turning it into a debate. It makes sure the conversation stays balanced, even if they don’t like it.
12. Ask if they’ve ever been wrong.
Pose the question gently: “Have you ever had a strong opinion and then changed your mind completely?” It encourages reflection, and puts the spotlight on their flexibility, not their ego. It’s a soft challenge, but an effective one. If they dodge it, they reveal more than they realise. If they answer honestly, it can reset the tone.
13. Tell a story that contradicts them.
Sometimes, you don’t need to argue—just share a personal experience that quietly proves your point. Real-life stories land in ways data and theory often don’t. It keeps the mood conversational, but subtly dismantles their argument. Your story becomes your stance—and it’s much harder to dismiss than opinion alone.
14. Ask, “Do you want to be right, or do you want to connect?”
This is bold, but when used at the right moment, it cuts through everything. It forces a deeper pause. Most people don’t expect their ego to be called out so directly, but it’s not hostile, just honest. It changes the conversation from performance to purpose. If connection isn’t the goal, you’ll know. That’s when you get to choose whether to continue or disengage.
15. Agree… and then add your twist.
Sometimes, the best strategy is to agree in part and then introduce your view. Try something like, “That’s a good point. I’d add that…” It sidesteps confrontation while showing you’ve got a brain of your own. Doing this keeps you in the conversation while subtly reminding them that being “right” isn’t the only thing that matters—there’s room for nuance, too.
16. Know when to leave it.
If all else fails, walk away. Seriously. Not every know-it-all deserves your time, energy, or words. If someone is more committed to being right than being decent, disengaging is the ultimate power move. There’s strength in choosing silence over pointless debates. Walking away isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. That might just be the smartest move of all.
