7 phrases people with below-average intelligence use that reveal more than you think

You know that feeling when someone says something and you just… know? Like your internal alarm goes off, and you realize you’re dealing with a particular type of person?

I’ve spent years noticing patterns in how people communicate. And I don’t mean this in a judgmental way—I’m genuinely curious about language and what it reveals about us. The words we choose, the phrases we repeat without thinking, they’re like little windows into how our brains work.

Here’s the thing: research in cognitive psychology shows that our vocabulary and communication patterns actually correlate with how we process information. Not in a harsh way. Just… it’s there.

I started paying attention to certain phrases that seemed to pop up in conversations with people who struggled with critical thinking or intellectual depth. And once I noticed them, I couldn’t unsee them. They appeared everywhere—in emails, conversations, social media.

Let me share what I’ve found. These aren’t meant to make anyone feel bad. They’re observations about how limited linguistic patterns might signal limited thinking patterns.

1. “I’m not smart enough to understand that”

I hear this one constantly, and it bothers me every time.

Someone will mention a concept, and immediately the response is self-defeat before even trying. I watched my cousin do this for years—literally shutting down her own curiosity before she’d even begun.

Here’s what’s interesting: learned helplessness is a real psychological phenomenon. People develop these mental blocks when they’ve been told (or told themselves) they can’t do something. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But the phrase itself reveals something deeper. It’s not just lack of confidence—it’s an unwillingness to engage the effort required for understanding. Real intelligence requires struggle sometimes.

The people I know who actually develop their thinking skills? They say things like “I don’t understand that yet” or “Can you break that down for me?” Notice the difference. One closes the door. The other opens it.

2. “Everyone knows that”

This one’s a classic deflection move.

I’ve used it myself when I didn’t want to admit I didn’t know something. But I noticed something: people who say this often aren’t actually thinking. They’re assuming.

Confirmation bias plays a huge role here. Our brains tend to assume everyone thinks like we do, sees what we see, knows what we know. It’s lazy thinking, honestly.

When someone says “everyone knows that,” they’re usually just signaling that they’re not going to examine their own assumptions. They’re comfortable in their bubble.

Curious people say “I’ve found that…” or “In my experience…” They acknowledge their perspective is just one perspective. That’s a key difference.

3. “That’s just how I am”

This phrase stops all growth dead in its tracks.

I remember hearing this from a friend who wanted to complain about being bad with money, bad at relationships, bad at everything—but had zero interest in changing. The phrase became her shield against any suggestion for improvement.

Psychologists call this fixed mindset—the belief that our traits are permanent and unchangeable. People with this outlook stop trying because what’s the point?

But here’s the contradiction: neuroscience has shown us the brain is plastic. We can literally rewire ourselves. Saying “that’s just how I am” is choosing stagnation.

People who grow, who develop real intelligence and capability, they understand that identity is fluid. They say “I’m working on that” or “I used to be like that.” They own their development.

Related: Why people who embrace change tend to think differently about their potential

4. “I don’t need to know that”

Dismissal. Pure dismissal.

I had a coworker who said this about literally everything outside her narrow job description. She was incurious about the world, about how systems worked, about anything that didn’t directly serve her immediate needs.

And here’s the thing—her career stalled. Badly.

Research in educational psychology shows that intellectual curiosity is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success and adaptability. People who think they know enough? They stop learning. And the world moves on without them.

The opposite phrase—”That’s interesting, I hadn’t considered that”—signals an openness to growth and connection.

5. “I don’t have time for that”

This one’s different from genuine time constraints.

When I hear someone say this about reading, learning, developing a skill, or understanding a complex topic, I’m hearing “I don’t prioritize growth.” And that’s honest, at least.

But it reveals something about how they think about their own development. They’ve decided their current knowledge and capability is sufficient.

People with growth orientation find time for what matters to them. Not because they’re busier or smarter, but because they recognize that intellectual investment pays dividends.

The phrase itself suggests that understanding is a luxury, not a necessity. For people who want to stay ahead, it’s a necessity.

6. “It’s probably fine”

I do this myself when I’m being lazy about problem-solving.

Rather than actually investigate something, examine it, think through potential consequences, I just… assume it’ll work out. It’s avoidant thinking.

This phrase reveals an unwillingness to engage in critical analysis. Someone says this instead of asking questions, gathering information, or thinking ahead.

In my experience, people who think deeply tend to say things like “Let me look into that” or “What could go wrong here?” They engage with reality rather than brush it aside.

The “it’s probably fine” approach works until it doesn’t. And then people wonder why they’re caught off guard.

7. “I’m just being honest”

Watch out for this one.

Usually what follows is something thoughtless or hurtful, and the speaker is using “honesty” as a shield against criticism. I’ve done it. You’ve probably done it.

But emotional intelligence involves understanding that honesty without empathy isn’t virtue—it’s just rudeness with a good excuse.

Real thinking requires nuance. It requires understanding that you can be truthful AND considerate. The people who say “I’m just being honest” often haven’t developed that capacity yet.

Evolved communicators say “I want to share something with you, and I want to be respectful about how I say it.” Different energy entirely.

Final thoughts

None of these phrases make someone a bad person. Not at all.

But they do signal something about how someone approaches the world. Are they curious or closed? Growing or stagnant? Thinking or coasting?

The good news—and this matters—is that all of this is changeable. The brain is flexible. People can develop vocabulary, habits, and ways of thinking that reflect deeper engagement with reality. I’ve seen people completely transform how they communicate and think once they became aware of these patterns.

So listen to yourself. Listen to others. What do the phrases we use repeatedly say about where we are mentally? And more importantly, where do you want to go from here?