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Synonyms

go one better

Idioms  

  1. Outdo or surpass someone, as in He went one better than his teacher and came up with five more famous scientists. This expression originated in gambling games, where it meant “to offer a higher stake than one's opponent.” [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He took bronze at Pyeongchang 2018 and silver in Beijing four years ago and is hoping to go one better at the Milan-Cortina Games.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

"I am full of confidence and hopefully I can go one better this tournament. I have had a month off tournaments but still been putting the work in."

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The Gunners lead title rivals Liverpool by one point after seven games as they seek to go one better after finishing third for three consecutive seasons.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

Ninth seed De Minaur, who won the Washington Open a week ago, is looking to go one better than his runners-up spot in 2023.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2025

We go one better than you, for you have only one.

From Lady Betty Across the Water by Lowell, Orson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.