Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.

I am often puzzled with the expression "get the best of" as in the passage below. Am I correct to understand that Sir Everard did not make much money but he was doing his best anyway?

I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!!

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"Do I understand that you knew Sir Everard in Africa?"

Seaman beamed. "Knew him?" he repeated, and with the first words of his speech the fact of his foreign nationality was established. "There was no one of whom I knew so much. We did business together--a great deal of business--and when we were not partners, Sir Everard generally got the best of it."

[Eric Thompson]

Dear Imchongjun, My main question is: what is meant by 'when we were not partners'? If it means 'opposing, or competing with, each other', then Sir Everard apparently beat him in the business 'game'. But it is also possible to not be partners, and not be competing, with someone. In that latter case, I don't know what 'got the best of it' means. Ok?

[imchongjun]

Thank you for your reply, sir.
Your explanation clarified the passage in question.
How dumb am I!

[CP]