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 on Tuesday, the Bruins once again got the better of the Panthers.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Still, throughout the Tony-award winning musical, based on the tragic Greek myth, the crowd’s impulses often got the better of them.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024
Dallas got the better of Buffalo in both games, and the Bills are still searching for their first Super Bowl trophy.
—Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024
Over the past 15 years, the game has traditionally been a meeting of the top two, with Bayern routinely getting the better of the side from North-Rhein Westphalia.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs got the better of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
—Gabe Zaldivar, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
As the moon and Mars clash, don’t let impatience get the better of you!
—USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024
Derek has been romantically involved with a law enforcement officer for several years and has full respect for the profession, however, there are some involved with big egos who let their stars and stripes get the better of them.
—The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024
Try not to let your feelings get the better of you.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2024
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Still, throughout the Tony-award winning musical, based on the tragic Greek myth, the crowd’s impulses often got the better of them.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024
Dallas got the better of Buffalo in both games, and the Bills are still searching for their first Super Bowl trophy.
—Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024
Over the past 15 years, the game has traditionally been a meeting of the top two, with Bayern routinely getting the better of the side from North-Rhein Westphalia.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs got the better of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
—Gabe Zaldivar, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
As the moon and Mars clash, don’t let impatience get the better of you!
—USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024
Derek has been romantically involved with a law enforcement officer for several years and has full respect for the profession, however, there are some involved with big egos who let their stars and stripes get the better of them.
—The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024
Try not to let your feelings get the better of you.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get the better of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Get the better of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20the%20better%20of. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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