you don't know where it's been

phrase

An object encountered in an unfamiliar place (such as outdoors) could be dirty or contaminated by germs, and should therefore not be handled through bodily contact. Chiefly said to command children not to interact with foreign objects.

“Get that banana peel out of your mouth this instant! You don't know where it's been!”

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Meanings

phrase
  1. childishcolloquialAn object encountered in an unfamiliar place (such as outdoors) could be dirty or contaminated by germs, and should therefore not be handled through bodily contact. Chiefly said to command children not to interact with foreign objects.

    Get that banana peel out of your mouth this instant! You don't know where it's been!

Cite this entry
APA

you don't know where it's been. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20don't%20know%20where%20it's%20been

MLA

“you don't know where it's been.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20don't%20know%20where%20it's%20been. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “you don't know where it's been,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20don't%20know%20where%20it's%20been.

Source: you don't know where it's been on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.