get the better of

bet•ter¹ adj. comparative form of good.

of higher or superior quality or excellence: We got a better view of the city from the top of the Empire State Building.
morally superior:Those politicians are no better than thieves.
of superior suitability;
preferable:There could not be a better time for action.[it + be + ~ + verb-ing]It's better having short lines with more bank tellers.[it + be + ~ + to + verb]It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.[it + be + ~ + that clause]It's better that we stop meeting like this.
larger;
greater:This homework assignment will take the better part of a day to finish.
improved in health;
healthier than before:Well, are you feeling any better today?

adv., [comparative form of well.]

to (cause to) improve: [~ + object]She worked hard to better the lot of the needy.[no object]Economic conditions have not bettered.
[~ + object] to improve upon: We have bettered last year's production.

[usually singular] something that is preferable: the better of two choices.
Usually, betters. [plural] those superior to oneself:Stop thinking of them as your betters.

Idioms

Idioms better off, [be + ~]

Idioms for the better, in a way that is an improvement: His health changed for the better.

Idioms get or have the better of, [~ + object]

to have or get an advantage over:They have the better of me in the opening part of the race.
to prevail against;
win over:Her curiosity got the better of her.

Idioms go (someone) one better, to exceed someone else's efforts;
surpass:She did her rival one better by coming to the meeting better prepared.

Idioms had better, [~ + root form of a verb] ought to:We had better renegotiate this contract.

Idioms think better of, [~ + object]

to reconsider or think (something) over again:I was tempted to make a wisecrack, but thought better of it and kept quiet.
to form a higher opinion of:I'm sure she thinks better of you now that she knows how kind you are.

bet•ter¹ adj., [compar. of] good [with] best [as superl.]

of superior quality or excellence:a better coat; a better speech.
morally superior;
more virtuous:They are no better than thieves.
of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.;
preferable:a better time for action.
larger;
greater:the better part of a lifetime.
improved in health;
healthier than before.
completely recovered in health.
Idioms no better than one should be, [Disparaging.]morally inferior;
immoral or amoral.

adv., [compar. of] well [with] best [as superl.]

in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner:to behave better.
to a greater degree;
more completely or thoroughly:He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.
more:I walked better than a mile to town.
Idioms better off:
- in better circumstances.
- more fortunate;
  happier:Because of his asthma, he would be better off in a different climate.
Idioms go (someone) one better, to exceed the effort of;
be superior to:The neighbors went us one better by buying two new cars.
Idioms had better, would be wiser or more well-advised to;
ought to:We had better stay indoors today.
Idioms think better of:
- to reconsider and decide more favorably or wisely regarding:I was tempted to make a sarcastic retort, but thought better of it.
- to form a higher opinion of.

v.t.

to increase the good qualities of;
make better;
improve:to better the lot of the suburban commuter.
to improve upon;
surpass;
exceed:We have bettered last year's production record.
Games[Cards.]to raise (a previous bid).
Idioms better oneself, to improve one's social standing, financial position, or education:He is going to night school because he wants to better himself.

that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser:the better of two choices.
Usually, betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth, etc.
Idioms for the better, in a way that is an improvement:His health changed for the better.
Idioms get or have the better of:
- to get an advantage over.
- to prevail against.

bef. 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)(e)ra; cognate with Old High German bezziro (German besser), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza, equivalent. to bat- (cognate with Old High German baz (adverb, adverbial) better; akin to boot²) + -iza comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá- "fortunate'' is doubtful. See best

improve.

bet•ter² n.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

better /ˈbɛtə/ adj

adv

the comparative of well¹
in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc
in or to a greater degree or extent; more
had better ⇒ would be wise, sensible, etc to: I had better be off
think better of ⇒
- to change one's course of action after reconsideration
- to rate (a person) more highly

the better ⇒ something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things
(usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability
for the better ⇒ by way of improvement
get the better of ⇒ to defeat, outwit, or surpass

Etymology: Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro

'get the better of' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

In Lists: C2, more...

Forum discussions with the word(s) "get the better of" in the title:

Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.