get one up on
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
So why not rob these red cloaks? Serves em right for letting their guard down. Isn’t that the unwritten law of the land? If someone gets one up on you, you deserve it for letting them?
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “get one up on” mean?
To outdo.
Is “get one up on” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.