Dice
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

You Best Believe

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "You best believe" means "You’d better believe it" or "Believe it for sure." It’s an emphatic, authentic variant of the "best = had better" construction.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: believe it, count on it, trust me

Pronunciation

[YOO BEST buh-LEEV] /juː bɛst bəˈliːv/

Meaning & Usage

- Emphatic Affirmation (imperative / confirmation)

Stressing a point
Martha:
They’re givin’ away free pie at the diner?

Sam:
You best believe it!

variations: you’d better believe it, believe it for sure
★ This phrase turns "best" = "had better" into an emphatic confirmation. Dropping the "you" ("Best believe") makes it even snappier and very Southern-sounding. ★

Origin and Etymology

Descended from older English "had best believe"" which survived in Southern/Appalachian speech as "you best believe." Documented in dialect fieldwork and oral histories throughout the South.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in Southern and Appalachian regions. Outside the region it’s easily understood but sounds colorful or colloquial.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "You best believe it" or just "Best believe" without the "you." Emphasis often lands on "believe."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "You best believe" mean the same as "You’d better believe it"?
Yes - it’s the authentic Southern form.
Can you drop the "you"?
Absolutely - "Best believe" is common and especially popular in casual speech.
Is it still used today?
Yes - across rural, small-town, and urban Southern speech, and known nationally thanks to pop culture.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). You Best Believe. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-believe
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "You Best Believe." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-believe.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "You Best Believe." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-believe.
...
Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home