Pronunciation: /wʌn-ʌp/

Definitions of one-up

noun a situation in which someone does something better than someone else in order to gain an advantage or to show that they are better

Example Sentences

A1 I always try to have at least one-up on my classmates in math class.

A2 She felt a sense of accomplishment when she finally got one-up on her rival in the competition.

B1 Having one-up on the latest technology trends can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

B2 The company's innovative marketing strategy gave them a one-up over their competitors.

C1 His ability to think outside the box always gives him a one-up in solving complex problems.

C2 The CEO's strategic decision-making skills have consistently given the company a one-up in the industry.

verb to gain an advantage over someone by doing something better than they have done

Example Sentences

A1 She tried to one-up her friend by telling a better joke.

A2 He always tries to one-up his colleagues with his achievements.

B1 The siblings constantly one-up each other in their friendly competition.

B2 The two companies are always trying to one-up each other in the market.

C1 The author's new novel is expected to one-up his previous bestseller.

C2 The athlete is determined to one-up his own record in the upcoming competition.

Examples of one-up in a Sentence

formal She always tries to one-up her colleagues by showcasing her superior knowledge.

informal He's constantly trying to one-up his friends with his latest gadgets.

slang I see you trying to one-up me with that new hairstyle!

figurative The company is always looking for ways to one-up their competitors in the market.

Grammatical Forms of one-up

past tense

one-upped

plural

one-ups

comparative

more one-up

superlative

most one-up

present tense

one-up

future tense

will one-up

perfect tense

have one-upped

continuous tense

is one-upping

singular

one-up

positive degree

one-up

infinitive

to one-up

gerund

one-upping

participle

one-upping

Origin and Evolution of one-up

First Known Use: 1968 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'one-up' originated from the idea of being one step ahead or superior to someone else.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in a competitive context to describe gaining an advantage over someone else, the term 'one-up' has evolved to also mean showing off or boasting about one's achievements or possessions.