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Glite Dictionary
to have the best of

to have the best of

6.8
To be unable to control strong feelings or tiredness
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : superar
  • When the storm hit, the sudden weather changes clearly had the best of the players on the field.

Examples

  • As the integration between them improves, and more Lorenz design engineers are cross-trained, the drawbacks will disappear, and we may have the best of both CAD worlds.

    Academic text (1998)

  • In the end, their poor decisions meant that we ended up having the best of them.

  • Despite his best efforts, he realized that circumstances would always have the best of him.

Synonyms

to prevail
vsto have the best of
229 5.1

To be stronger or more successful and win in the end

can mean a situational win caused by circumstances, not broad dominance
to get the best of
vsto have the best of
32 4.6

To be overcome by something like tiredness, strong feelings, or problems

is about overcoming someone through circumstances beyond their control
to best
vsto have the best of
23 4.2

To defeat someone in a contest or game

wins instead due to external circumstances rather than direct contest strength
to get the better of
vsto have the best of
16 4.1

To take control of someone, something, or a feeling that you cannot stop

succeeds because outside circumstances force the result rather than struggle
to prevail over
vsto have the best of
8 5.8

To win against someone or something that tries to stop you

does so because situational factors, not direct power, decide the outcome

Antonyms

to lose
∞ 1.0

Fail to win a game or contest

How Advantageous

rout
12 7.2
to dominate
275 3.7
to have the best of
6.8
advantage
∞ 2.8
edge
310 3.8

Surface Forms

have the best of infinitive
had the best of past
had the best of past participle
having the best of present participle
has the best of third person singular

Morphology

have + the + best + of

The meaning can be partly derived from the constituents: 'best' carries the sense of being superior or getting the better of someone and 'have' signals possession/experience, so a learner could infer 'have the best of' means to gain an advantage or get the better of someone. However, the fixed phrasing ('have the best of' + person/circumstance) and the nuance of being overcome by circumstances (rather than a literal competition) are somewhat idiomatic and not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Have the best of comes from the idea of one side taking the best or stronger part in a contest, so imagine two people pulling a rope and one side getting the better hold and winning. So, it now means 'to defeat' someone or for something like anger or tiredness to 'overcome' you.