3better noun
[noncount] : something that is better : better behavior
▪ They've disappointed me. I expected better from them. [=I expected them to behave better] ▪ They shouldn't treat him that way. He deserves better.
▪ They've disappointed me. I expected better from them. [=I expected them to behave better] ▪ They shouldn't treat him that way. He deserves better.
all the better or so much the better
— used to say that something makes a situation, experience, etc., even better than it was ▪ My daughter loves taking care of children. If she can earn money by doing it, so much the better!
for better or (for) worse
: whether good or bad things happen : no matter what happens
▪ We've made our decision and now we have to stick to it for better or worse.
▪ We've made our decision and now we have to stick to it for better or worse.
for the better
: so as to produce improvement
▪ The new policy is a change for the better. [=the new policy is an improvement] ▪ My father's health has recently taken a turn for the better. [=has recently improved]
▪ The new policy is a change for the better. [=the new policy is an improvement] ▪ My father's health has recently taken a turn for the better. [=has recently improved]
get the better of
: to defeat or trick (someone) by being clever
▪ It would be hard to get the better of someone as experienced as she is. ◊If a feeling or emotion gets the better of you, it causes you to do something that you should not do or that you are trying not to do.
▪ She knew she shouldn't open the package, but her curiosity finally got the better of her and she opened it. ▪ He let his temper get the better of him. [=he lost his temper; he said or did something because of anger]
▪ It would be hard to get the better of someone as experienced as she is. ◊If a feeling or emotion gets the better of you, it causes you to do something that you should not do or that you are trying not to do.
▪ She knew she shouldn't open the package, but her curiosity finally got the better of her and she opened it. ▪ He let his temper get the better of him. [=he lost his temper; he said or did something because of anger]
go one better — see 1go
know better — see 1know
think better of — see 1think
your betters
somewhat old-fashioned : people who are more important than you or who have a higher social position than you
▪ His parents always told him to respect his betters. ▪ (chiefly Brit) You should respect your elders and betters. [=people who are older and more important than you]
▪ His parents always told him to respect his betters. ▪ (chiefly Brit) You should respect your elders and betters. [=people who are older and more important than you]
