be/get/have one up on somebody

be one up on (someone or something)

To have an advantage over someone or something. I think I'm one up on the other candidates for this position, thanks to my extensive student teaching experience.See also: on, one, up

get one up on (someone or something)

To attain an advantage over someone or something. I'm trying to get one up on the competition by praciticing in real-world conditions.See also: get, on, one, up

have one up on (someone or something)

To have an advantage over someone or something. I hope I have one up on the competition with my extensive student teaching experience.See also: have, on, one, up

be/get/have one ˈup on somebody

(informal) be in a better position than somebody; have an advantage over somebody: Why do you always have to be one up on everybody else? ▶ one-ˈupmanship noun (disapproving) the skill of getting an advantage over other peopleSee also: get, have, on, one, somebody, up