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Get the Better Of

What Does "Get the Better Of" Mean?

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"Get the better of" is an English idiom. It means "to gain an advantage over someone or something, often in a competitive or confrontational context."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "get the better of" used in a sentence:
  • He was determined not to let his fear get the better of him during the challenging rock climbing expedition.
  • She believed that a positive attitude could help her get the better of adversity.
  • They knew that preparation and strategy were crucial to getting the better of their opponents.
meaning for get the better of

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Get the Better Of" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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