Unknown to somebody Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Ignorance Suggests someone could or should know something, but doesn't yet. Strange tactics used by the team were unknown to the coach. Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Distance Signals emotional detachment or a lack of personal experience with a subject. The pain of losing a pet was unknown to her, until now. Pro Tip 3/3Learning Context Often used in educational settings to acknowledge gaps in knowledge. Quantum physics remains largely unknown to me.