come off second best

come off second best

To finish something, such as a contest or competition, in second place. Even though I'd spent weeks working on my project for the science fair, I still came off second best. Nobody remembers the team that comes off second best in the championship. I'm not surprised you came off second best if Mona was in your heat—she's the fastest girl in our class.

See also: best, come, off, second

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come off second best

to be second to someone or something; to get the poorer end of a bargain. As usual, he came off second best with a little less prize money than the winner. I don't want to come off second best again.

See also: best, come, off, second

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.