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 figuratively
She 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the end, both Lucy and future-Quinn are transported back to 2024 where Lucy gets the better of him and kills him. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2024 The six or so other guests with me in the tasting let curiosity get the better of them, too. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 29 Oct. 2024 This led to a brawl with the Bloodline and the Usos got the better of it. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Reed got the better of Seth Rollins and looked like a bigger star in their brawl, where Bronson yeeted a WWE official at Rollins like an inbound pass. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 21 Oct. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on get the better of

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!