Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), one-upped, one-up·ping.
- to get the better of; succeed in being a point, move, step, etc., ahead of (someone): They one-upped the competition.
adjective
- having gained an advantage in some way that betokens success, especially over rivals.
- leading an opponent by one point or one scoring unit: The home team was one up on the visitors.
- one each; tied at a score of one: The score was one up in the ninth inning.
adverb
- Printing. with only one reproduction of a form per sheet or on a given sheet: We must print this job one up.
- Journalism. using one more column of space than of type.
adjective
- informal having or having scored an advantage or lead over someone or something
Having an advantage or lead over someone, as in Sara is one up on Jane because she passed algebra in summer school. This expression comes from sports, where it means to be one point ahead of one’s opponents. It was transferred to more general use about 1920.