get the drop on

Idioms  

1. Also,. Achieve a distinct advantage over someone, especially through early or quick action; get a head start. For example, Their book on electronic communication has the drop on all the others, or We really got the jump on the competition. The first of these slangy expressions dates from the mid-1800s and originally alluded to pointing one's gun at someone before he pointed his at you. It was transferred to more general use by about 1900. The second, which uses jump in the sense of “start,” dates from about 1900.

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Example Sentences

Tom tries to trap Robbie, only for Robbie to get the drop on him.

From Salon

Next to those dials, you’ll also find a power button and a mode button, the latter of which is used to switch audio profiles, including Turtle Beach’s “Superhuman Hearing” profile that amplifies sounds like footsteps to help you get the drop on opponents.

From The Verge

The FHD display has a 300Hz refresh rate, better than you’d see on most desktop gaming monitors, allowing for sharp reaction times and virtually no lag, letting you get the drop on your enemy.

From The Verge

The trailer also shows your fighter and a companion sneaking into a temple, using stealth to get the drop on his enemies.

From The Verge

While Rick and the others felt they were going to be able to get the drop on Negan, they quickly discover that they were being set up when they take out a group of Saviors that just happen to be carrying a map of Negan’s actual location.

From The Verge