be one up on (someone or something)

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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be one up on someone

If you are one up on someone, you have an advantage over them, often because you have done something which they have not done or because you know something that they do not know. She will see this as the opportunity to be one up on you. You may only have met him once, but you're one up on the person who hasn't met him at all. Note: If you get one up on someone, you get an advantage over them. In those days, travel was about getting one up on one's neighbours.
See also: on, one, someone, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

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 people
See also: get, have, on, one, somebody, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be one up on someone
  • be/get/have one up on somebody
  • have one up on (someone or something)
  • have the inside track
  • inside track
  • inside track, the
  • the inside track
  • have the bulge on
  • have the bulge on (someone or something)
  • have the wood on