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get the worst of it

 - 2 dictionary results
worst   (wûrst)   
adj.   Superlative of bad1, ill.

  1. Most inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect.

  2. Most severe or unfavorable.

  3. Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory.

adv.   Superlative of badly, ill.
In the worst manner or degree.
tr.v.   worst·ed, worst·ing, worsts
To gain the advantage over; defeat.
n.  Something that is worst.

[Middle English, from Old English wyrsta; see wers- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

get the worst of it

Also, have the worst of it. Be defeated, experience a disadvantage, or suffer the most harm. For example, In any argument Joe usually gets the worst of it, or If we play the last three games as scheduled, our team is bound to have the worst of it, or The car got the worst of it, and no one was hurt. These phrases survive many older ones (such as go to the worst and come by the worst) in which worst is used in the sense of "defeat," a usage dating from about 1500. Also see get the better (best) of.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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