get the better of

idiom

: to defeat or trick (someone) by being clever
It would be hard to get the better of someone as experienced as she is.
often used figuratively
She knew she shouldn't open the package, but her curiosity finally got the better of her and she opened it.

Examples of get the better of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The last of those defeats came on Saturday at Las Palmas, meaning the Catalans have squandered a six-point lead which could be reduced to one if bitter rival Real Madrid keeps winning and also gets the better of Valencia in a game in hand. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 His stumbling through his remarks about Trump’s supporters are just the latest example of words getting the better of him — despite his swift clarification. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Libra September 23 – October 22 Curiosity could currently get the better of you. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 In my senior year of high school, the symptoms started to get the better of me. Jj Courtney, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for get the better of 

Dictionary Entries Near get the better of

Cite this Entry

“Get the better of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20the%20better%20of. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on get the better of

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!