Definition

Verb (phrasal verb): - To defeat or overcome someone or something; to gain an advantage over: This phrase means to ultimately triumph over an opponent, a challenge, or a difficult situation. It often implies that the subject was tested or struggled but ultimately prevailed. - To be the most powerful influence on someone, often negatively: This meaning describes a situation where an emotion, habit, or circumstance becomes too strong to resist, leading to a person's failure or surrender. It suggests being overwhelmed or defeated by an internal or external force.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • After a long and difficult match, the younger tennis player finally got the best of the reigning champion. (The younger player defeated the champion.)
  • In the end, her patience and careful planning got the best of her opponent's aggressive strategy. (Her patience overcame the aggressive strategy.)
  • His fear of public speaking got the best of him, and he had to cancel the presentation. (His fear overwhelmed and defeated him.)
  • Don't let your anger get the best of you during the negotiation. (Don't let your anger control or defeat you.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used in the construction "get the best of [someone/something]." It is rarely used without the "of" prepositional phrase.
• It can be used in both positive contexts (overcoming an external challenge) and negative contexts (being overcome by an internal weakness).

Variants and Related Words

• Get the better of: A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he opened the mysterious box.
• Best (verb): To defeat or outdo someone.
  • She bested all her competitors in the race.

Synonyms

• Overcome: To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
• Defeat: To win a victory over someone in a battle or contest.
• Overpower: To be too strong for; to defeat by greater strength.
• Prevail over: To prove more powerful or superior.

Related Idioms

• Get the upper hand: To gain a position of control or advantage.
  • After a series of smart investments, she got the upper hand in the business deal.
• Lose one's cool: To lose control of one's emotions. (This is a potential of letting something "get the best of you.")
  • He lost his cool when the pressure got the best of him.

Verb

1. overcome, usually through no fault or weakness of the person that is overcome
   • Heart disease can get the best of us