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.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took advantage in December 2019, while Ten Hag got the better of the eventual treble winners in January 2023, who at that point were struggling to get up to speed after the Qatar World Cup. Sam Lee, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 Daniels got the better of Brunson in the first matchup between the two teams this season — a Hawks win — holding the All-Star guard to just 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024 Learning how to get the better of Barca's offside trap on occasion, opponents are pressing it high and affecting the control previously enjoyed over games. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Matangi gets the better of Maui a bunch of times, which is hilarious. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for get the better of 

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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 3 Jan. 2025.

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