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
Chery also credits Lamar’s shrewd strategy and instincts as what got the better of Drake.
—
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored in the third period to push the game into overtime, where Brady Tkachuk got the better of Erik Karlsson and Tristan Jarry on the game winner.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
More rarely still, someone whose anxiety has clearly got the better of them posts a photo showing, to all intents and purposes, a full head of hair.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
The 17-year-old was once more sublime at the Montjuic Stadium, routinely getting the better of a figure believed by many to be the best left back in the world in Alphonso Davies and supplying a mind-bending assist for Raphinha to complete his hat trick in the second half.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for get the better of 
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.
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored in the third period to push the game into overtime, where Brady Tkachuk got the better of Erik Karlsson and Tristan Jarry on the game winner.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
More rarely still, someone whose anxiety has clearly got the better of them posts a photo showing, to all intents and purposes, a full head of hair.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
The 17-year-old was once more sublime at the Montjuic Stadium, routinely getting the better of a figure believed by many to be the best left back in the world in Alphonso Davies and supplying a mind-bending assist for Raphinha to complete his hat trick in the second half.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 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 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share