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
Jarry, though, got the better of his friend.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
One curious dog has left people in stitches after he was caught on camera letting his nosiness get the better of him, with the ensuing video going viral.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Eyewitnesses told police Wade got the better of the altercation and began striking Bass-Moody repeatedly, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Schubert Former Broncos ST assistant Chris Banjo's Jets units are getting the better of current Broncos STC Darren Rizzi's so far today.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for get the better of
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Josh Yohe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
One curious dog has left people in stitches after he was caught on camera letting his nosiness get the better of him, with the ensuing video going viral.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Eyewitnesses told police Wade got the better of the altercation and began striking Bass-Moody repeatedly, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Schubert Former Broncos ST assistant Chris Banjo's Jets units are getting the better of current Broncos STC Darren Rizzi's so far today.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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