get the better of

phrase

: 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

Konsa got the better of his former Villa team-mate with a thunderous sliding tackle in the second half, but Rogers always forces opposition defences to react. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

But even the urge to keep jurors trained on the brute horror of the killings could get the better of the prosecution. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

The two then started slugging it out in the middle of the ring until Mox got the better of Nigel by going after his ankle. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

After Monken's announcement, Watson took responsibility for his comments by saying his emotions got the better of him. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for get the better of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove