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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Inspired by the likes of teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, La Roja managed to get the better of the goalfest, beating Les Bleus 5-4 in an all-time classic.
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Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Along with that, though, Johnson cited a couple of plays that likely would have ended as sacks in a non-practice setting and also volunteered that, throughout OTAs, the Bears first-unit defense had frequently been getting the better of the offense in end-of-half and end-of-game situational work.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
As a player, Posey got the better of the Padres at a high rate.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Becky and Lyra inevitably brawled, and Lyra got the better of Lynch.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
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Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Along with that, though, Johnson cited a couple of plays that likely would have ended as sacks in a non-practice setting and also volunteered that, throughout OTAs, the Bears first-unit defense had frequently been getting the better of the offense in end-of-half and end-of-game situational work.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
As a player, Posey got the better of the Padres at a high rate.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Becky and Lyra inevitably brawled, and Lyra got the better of Lynch.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 5 May 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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