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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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
Alba is vigilant, but Neva can’t be bothered, instead letting her curiosity get the better of her.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
At the same time, Sun Wukong often gets the better of the gods, either through trickery or martial prowess.
—Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024
According to Hauser, what the audience was watching was not just a man getting the better of an entire television network, but also an actor trying to play his part.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for get the better of 
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Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Alba is vigilant, but Neva can’t be bothered, instead letting her curiosity get the better of her.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
At the same time, Sun Wukong often gets the better of the gods, either through trickery or martial prowess.
—Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024
According to Hauser, what the audience was watching was not just a man getting the better of an entire television network, but also an actor trying to play his part.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 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 5 Nov. 2024.
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