Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

get the better of

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.63 in modern English

Syllables: get the -bet-ter of
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To overwhelm or overcome.

Transitive verb

verb

To trick or con.

Transitive verb

verb

To gain an advantage over or regarding.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Adam said, "My temper got the better of me, and I said things as wasn't true.""
"Though this sort of thing went on every other night or very near it still Stephen's feelings got the better of him in a sense though he knew that Corley's brandnew rigmarole on a par with the others was hardly deserving of much credence."
"Many people returned to work a bit anxious, they acknowledged, but grimly determined not to let terrorists get the better of them."
"Thomas Tuchel got the better of his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola for the third time since succeeding sacked Frank Lampard in January to bring European club football's biggest prize back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2012."
"I won't let you get the best of me How'd my heart become my enemy? I won't let you get the best of me How'd my heart become my enemy?"
"He got the better of him early in the match, but ended up losing."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

gets the better of (present, singular) getting the better of (participle, present) got the better of (past) got the better of (UK, participle) gotten the better of (US, participle) get the best of (alternative)

Phrases

have the better of

Frequently Paired Words

have the better of

Synonyms

defeat overpower better overcome

Questions

What does get the better of mean?: To overwhelm or overcome.

How to pronounce get the better of

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