come off second bestlose a game or competition, or not be as successful as someone else
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
come off second best v. phr. To not win first but only second, third, etc. place.
Our home team came off second best against the visitors.
Sue complains that she always comes off second best when she has a disagreement with her husband. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲