avere la meglio

avere la meglio

Italian

Etymology

Literally, "to have the best."

Verb

avere la meglio

1. to prevail

   solo il più forte può avere la meglio

   only the strongest one can prevail

2. (transitive with a or su) to get the best of
   • 2019, George Orwell, Nicola Gardini, transl., Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:

     Alla fine la tentazione di scoprirlo ebbe la meglio sulla paura; e Winston si infilò una mano in tasca.

     In the end the temptation to find out overcame his fear; he slipped a hand into his pocket.

     (literally, “At the end the temptation to discover it got the best of fear; and Winston slipped a hand into his pocket.”)