come off second best
Finish behind another
To come off second best is to lose a contest or comparison, or to end up in the worse position after a conflict or competition.
The phrase implies a direct matchup where someone else prevailed: He came off second best in the argument with his boss.
Sometimes used with deliberate understatement when the defeat was decisive.
- miss the boatFail to seize opportunity
- get the worst of itBe defeated or disadvantaged
- lose outFail to benefit
- fall shortFail to reach standard
- miss the markFail to achieve aim
runner-up · loser · disappointment · underdog · setback · bitter pill · frustration · inferiority · eat humble pie · also-ran · close but no cigar · failure · effort · hard luck · self-reflection · ranking · regret · perseverance