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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.

Sadowski-Synnott, who won big air bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018 and silver in Beijing, was looking to go one better at the Milan-Cortina Games.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

"For now, despite a slightly slow start, the signs are promising that it will go one better than Game of Thrones, and deliver a send-off that lives up to audience expectations," he said.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

Arsenal, who have finished second for the past three seasons, added Spain international Martin Zubimendi to their midfield for £60m this summer as they look to go one better and win the title.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

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

I'll go one better than Paul, if I may.

From Captain Desmond, V.C. by Diver, Maud

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.