better

against your better judgement: seejudgement.

the - the better used to emphasize the importance or desirability of the quality or thing specified.

1986Patrick Leigh FermorBetween the Woods & the Water He had a passion for limericks, the racier the better.

better the devil you know it's wiser to deal with an undesirable but familiar person or situation than to risk a change that might lead to a situation with worse difficulties or a person whose faults you have yet to discover.

☞ This phrase is a shortened form of the proverb better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

better late than never it's preferable for something to happen or be done belatedly than not at all.

be better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick: seepoke.

better safe than sorry it's wiser to be cautious and careful than to be hasty or rash and so do something that you may later regret.

☞ Apparently the expression is quite recent in this form (mid 20th century); better be sure than sorry is recorded from the mid 19th century.

2012New Zealand Herald We were told to get the heck out. I was going to stay, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

the better to - so as to - better.

1986Peter MathiessenMen's Lives Francis ran both motors with their housings off, the better to tinker with them.

get the better of win an advantage over someone; defeat or outwit someone.

go one better

1 narrowly surpass a previous effort or achievement.

2 narrowly outdo another person.

no better than you should (or ought to) be regarded as sexually promiscuous or of doubtful moral character.

☞ This phrase dates back to the early 17th century. Used typically of a woman, it is now rather dated.

1998Spectator 'She's no better than she ought to be.' (British mothers of my generation… often used that enigmatic phrase. They would use it about female neighbours of whom they disapproved, or women in low-cut dresses on television.)

seen better days: seeday.

so much the better: seemuch.

think better of: seethink.

your better half your husband or wife. humorous

your better nature: seenature.