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
Last year, Eli got the better of his older brother, and now Peyton has a chance to even the score.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Sanchez, 27, made a rash decision to leave his goal line in the 68th minute, allowing Haaland to chip the ball over him into an empty net after getting the better of Trevoh Chalobah.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Two days later, Orange Glen got the better of Country Day, winning 2-1.
—Ben Ali H Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Yet the testimonies of some of his friends, including Georges Kopp, describe a man determined not to let his maladies get the better of him.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024
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David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Sanchez, 27, made a rash decision to leave his goal line in the 68th minute, allowing Haaland to chip the ball over him into an empty net after getting the better of Trevoh Chalobah.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Two days later, Orange Glen got the better of Country Day, winning 2-1.
—Ben Ali H Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Yet the testimonies of some of his friends, including Georges Kopp, describe a man determined not to let his maladies get the better of him.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for get the better of
Dictionary Entries Near 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 16 Feb. 2025.
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