one up
The phrase "one up" often appears in competitive contexts where individuals strive to gain an advantage over each other.
Definition
B2General
(informal)To gain an advantage over someone.
Example
- He always tries to be one up on his colleagues in meetings.
B2Competition
(informal)To surpass or outdo someone, especially in a competitive manner.
Example
- She managed to one up her rival by scoring a last-minute goal.
B2Games and Sports
(informal)To lead by one point or unit.
Example
- The home team was one up at halftime.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "one up":
on the upleg upbig upup forgo one bettertrade upstep upmove upup the anteupper handeven uphop uphead upsingle upup linego upante upwindow upplay uptrice upduke upfight upbump updouble upup tokey upget a leg upheads upup topup abovefront uppower uphot upman upjump upup therechange upcorner upgun upswitch upprice uprhyme upstraight upboss upstick uporder upage upchoose upamp upblack uprun upstay uplevel upjoke upnut upup a heightpal upride up onhem upup and downdo onecheese upjimmy upfall updo upbull upfor onekeep uppush upon topthumbs upword upmatch upcross upget on upabove oneselfchin upgo up forcash upup to elevenpimp uptop oneselfkeep aheadsend up