smarty-pants

[/ˈsmɑːrti pænts/]
nounpl: smarty-pants or smarties-pants
sabe-tudo
1. A person who behaves as if they are smarter than others; someone who makes annoying displays of their intelligence or cleverness
Don't be such a smarty-pants! You're not always right.
Não seja um sabe-tudo! Você nem sempre está certo.
2. A person who makes witty or clever remarks, especially in a disrespectful or impertinent way
That smarty-pants made a joke at the teacher's expense.
Aquele sabe-tudo fez uma piada às custas do professor.
3. A clever or precocious child who shows off their intelligence
My nephew is such a little smarty-pants for his age.
Meu sobrinho é um pequeno sabe-tudo para sua idade.
This is a distinctly North American English expression, commonly used in casual, informal settings. It carries a pejorative connotation and is often used to address someone in a joking but slightly critical manner. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'sabe-tudo' serves as the closest cultural equivalent, used with similar informal criticism. The term is particularly popular in American schools and among younger speakers.
NYC Slang
smartass or wise guy
Synonyms / Sinônimos
know-it-allwise guysmartassshowoffbrainiacpedantwiseacre
Antonyms / Antônimos
humble personduncefoolignoramus

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sabe-tudo
most common translation, used informally to describe someone who acts superior
Rio de Janeiro
sabe-tudo or chato
colloquial term emphasizing the annoying nature of the person
São Paulo
sabe-tudo or metido
often used with 'metido' to emphasize pretentiousness
Portugal
sabe-tudo or matreco
Portuguese equivalents, though smarty-pants is less commonly used in Portugal

Related Words

intelligentarrogantpretentiouscondescendingcockypedantic

Related Idioms & Phrases

know-it-all attitude
show off one's knowledge
act like you're smarter than everyone else
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