have the best of

have the best of (something)

To be in an advantageous position. We had the best of this game until the opposition tied the score. The senator had the best of the debate because he managed to stay on the attack the whole way through. Unfortunately, the defending champions only had the best of the first half—they rapidly lost momentum in the second half.

See also: best, have, of

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

have the best of someone or something

to defeat someone or something. I'm afraid you have the best of me. We had the best of the opposite team by the end of the first half.

See also: best, have, of

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