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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
Hillbilly Dude Says...
"You best believe" (or simply "Best believe") is a classic Southern and Appalachian expression meaning "You’d better believe it" or "Believe me for sure." It’s an emphatic way to confirm or stress something. 

Pronunciation

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

Meaning & Usage

- Emphatic Affirmation (imperative / confirmation)

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

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.

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

Kin Words, Stories and More

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.
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