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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Antony saw one good chance denied by former Manchester United team-mate De Gea, but got the better of the goalkeeper a few minutes later with an excellent free kick.
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Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Ottawa looked shaky at times up and down their lineup, couldn’t generate any positive momentum from their power play and their penalty kill wore down at the worst time, and Ullmark didn’t get the better of Stolarz.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Coogler can let his characters’ verbosity get the better of story momentum.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Charles Brooks Charles Brooks is the sensible boss at Empirical Press who lets his softer side get the better of him.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
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Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Ottawa looked shaky at times up and down their lineup, couldn’t generate any positive momentum from their power play and their penalty kill wore down at the worst time, and Ullmark didn’t get the better of Stolarz.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Coogler can let his characters’ verbosity get the better of story momentum.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Charles Brooks Charles Brooks is the sensible boss at Empirical Press who lets his softer side get the better of him.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 31 Mar. 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 21 May. 2025.
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