Better being dealt with humbly (3,2,4)
I believe the answer is:
cap in hand
'humbly' is the definition.
(as in the phrase 'coming cap in hand')
'better being dealt with' is the wordplay.
'better' becomes 'cap' (both can mean to beat somebody else's attempt).
'being dealt with' becomes 'in hand' (I've seen this before).
'cap'+'inhand'='CAP IN HAND'
(Other definitions for cap in hand that I've seen before include "seeking favour" , "unassumingly" , "In a servile way" , "showing deference" , "Humbly asking a favour" .)