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
Recent Examples on the Web
But that’s happened before — the Bills getting the better of the Chiefs in the regular season, only for the favor to be returned in January.
—
Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
Khan got the better of Nada, and can now celebrate his big victory under the PFL banner.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, got the better of Bam Adebayo in their matchup, finishing with 25 points (10 for 18 shooting ) and 12 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
After the last game Cleveland lost this season, on Dec. 8 in Miami, a rival league executive noted to me that Jarrett Allen struggled with the physicality of the Heat’s bigs — a stigma that’s apparently going to hang around until Allen gets the better of someone in the playoffs.
—Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for get the better of 
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.
Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
Khan got the better of Nada, and can now celebrate his big victory under the PFL banner.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, got the better of Bam Adebayo in their matchup, finishing with 25 points (10 for 18 shooting ) and 12 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
After the last game Cleveland lost this season, on Dec. 8 in Miami, a rival league executive noted to me that Jarrett Allen struggled with the physicality of the Heat’s bigs — a stigma that’s apparently going to hang around until Allen gets the better of someone in the playoffs.
—Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share