slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else.

The filmmaker manages to keep one step ahead of his critics by constantly trying new ideas.

Usage notes: often used with the verbs be, keep, or stay:

In this business, you have to be one step ahead of the competition.

• one thing leads to another
• one-to-one
• one-two punch
• one-upmanship
• on everyone's lips
• one way or another
• one way or the other
• one-way ticket to
• one-way ticket to something
• on feet
• on file
• on good side
• on good terms
• on good terms with
• on good terms with someone
• on guard
• on hand
• on head be it
• on high
• on hobbyhorse
• on hold
• on honor
• on its feet
• on its knees
• on its last legs