知しらぬ存ぞんぜぬ

expression, noun

feigning complete ignorance; claiming to know nothing

Set phrase used when someone pretends to have no knowledge of a matter, often to avoid responsibility or involvement. The repetition of 'know not' in two synonymous verbs (知る and 存ずる) emphasizes total denial.

• 彼かれはその件けんについて知しらぬ存ぞんぜぬを決きめ込こんだ。

  He feigned complete ignorance about the matter.

• 問とい詰つめられても、知しらぬ存ぞんぜぬで通とおそうとした。

  Even when pressed, he tried to get by with claiming to know nothing.