Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#1

Post by AbstractH24 » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 5:30 AM UTC

In meetings im often asked to answer a question or solve a problem on the fly. I hate to do that because it doesn’t give me time to fully think through what needs to be done, the best way to do it, and any implications.

What I try to do is tell people I’ll take a look and get back to them. But I never found a good way to do it confidently, in a way that doesn’t make it seem like I can’t be trusted that I know what I’m doing. Particularly if they want me to do the task in front of them.

Any advice?

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 5:31 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#3

Post by joules77 » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 5:52 AM UTC

"I don't know off hand, but I'll have a better answer for you in X mins/hours/days."

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#4

Post by sjs382 » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 5:54 AM UTC

Just like that, but offer a timeframe for a response. That is what builds trust and confidence.

You can also offer a "back of a napkin" answer if it's appropriate, but make it clear that you will give it the proper consideration and give a better considered answer. Maybe specify a large margin of error.

All that said, not everything requires rigor. In some cases, "fuzzy" answers are good enough. Learn to identify them and not to waste time giving less important things extra attention.

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#5

Post by Telaneo » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 5:59 AM UTC

'Let me get back to you on that in 30 minutes/tomorrow/a week' (depending on the complexity of the question at hand).

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#6

Post by lordkrandel » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 6:09 AM UTC

The first to convince is yourself. What would you think of someone who says that? Do you think that the other person is incompetent? Unless you solve this, you won't appear confident.

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#7

Post by NoPicklez » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 7:05 AM UTC

Depends on the question, you could say something that validates the importance of the question or what you're trying to solve and say let me think this through further and I'll get back to you.

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#8

Post by fehu22 » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 7:43 AM UTC

NoPicklez wrote: post #7

Depends on the question, you could say something that validates the importance of the question or what you're trying to solve and say let me think this through further and I'll get back to you.

such questions are post to disqualify the candidate h. r. d. gimmick

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#9

Post by ashu1461 » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 7:50 AM UTC

It is totally fine to just say it simple terms.

What will give you confidence is actually following up and getting back to people and closing the thread.

Then people will trust you as well.

Re: Ask HN: How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

#10

Post by NoPicklez » Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 10:56 AM UTC

fehu22 wrote: post #8

NoPicklez wrote: post #7

Depends on the question, you could say something that validates the importance of the question or what you're trying to solve and say let me think this through further and I'll get back to you.

such questions are post to disqualify the candidate h. r. d. gimmick

I'm not following