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 figurativelyShe 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
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In 2024, Haas put up a strong fight for P6 in the standings with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen at the helm, but ultimately, Alpine got the better of them.
—
Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The many moving parts get the better of the filmmakers.
—Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
The 6-foot-6, 228-pound Parayko took on the Americans’ J.T. Miller and got the better of the punches thrown.
—Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Brunson dug deep into his bag to get the better of his opponent.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
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Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The many moving parts get the better of the filmmakers.
—Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
The 6-foot-6, 228-pound Parayko took on the Americans’ J.T. Miller and got the better of the punches thrown.
—Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Brunson dug deep into his bag to get the better of his opponent.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 6 Mar. 2025.
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