leg up on

leg up on (one)

An advantage over another person. Getting certifications will definitely give you a leg up on other people applying for the job. I knew I had a leg up on my opponent when I saw that he was struggling to counter my opening moves.
See also: leg, on, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*leg up on someone

Fig. an advantage that someone else does not have. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I have a leg up on Walter when it comes to getting around town, since I have a car. I want to practice indoors all winter and get a leg up on Ken, since he thinks he can beat me at tennis.
See also: leg, on, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • leg up on (one)
  • leg it
  • give an arm and a leg (for something)
  • give an arm and a leg for
  • give an arm and a leg for something
  • give leg bail
  • the first leg of the/(one's) journey
  • shake a leg
  • a bone in your leg
  • bone in (one's) leg
References in periodicals archive
But this year I've already got a leg up on that promise.
Food for thought