get the better of (somebody)
Meaning(s)
1. defeat or gain control or an advantage over somebody
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
curiosity got the better of me
Analysis
If a feeling or emotion gets the better of you you are unable to resist doing something even in the knowledge that what you are doing is wrong. When are feeling gets the better of you it is too strong for you to control. For example, 'my anger got the better of me and I really regret what I said'. To get the better of a person means to defeat someone in a game debate or argument.
Social Examples (Basic)
- I probably shouldn't have meddled in Kate's personal affairs, but my curiosity got the better of me.
- Whenever we play that team, they always seem to get the better of us. It is so frustrating!
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Ever since we rolled out our new product, we have been getting the better of our rivals.
- We did our best in the tendering process but our competition got the better of us when it came to the bidding stage.