be+smart

  • 131smart money — money bet by those in the know, 1926, from SMART (Cf. smart) (adj.). The same phrase earlier meant money paid to sailors, soldiers, workers, etc., who have been disabled while on the job (1690s), from a noun derivative of SMART (Cf. smart) (v.) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 132smart alec — smart alecs N COUNT: oft N n (disapproval) If you describe someone as a smart alec, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. [INFORMAL] ...a fortyish smart alec TV reporter... You ll end… …

    English dictionary