improve on

Idioms  

1. Make beneficial additions or changes to, as in The company is trying to improve on the previous model. [Late 1600s]

---

Example Sentences

The agency’s main criticism was that its trial lacked a control arm, though this would be unethical in late-stage patients who failed to improve on other therapies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"But they offer a trajectory for improvement. We need to continue to improve on multiple areas -- materials, circuits and packaging -- to make this technology ready for data center applications."

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

“It has just been the fact that we couldn’t see the threat evolving and what we’re facing. So we definitely have to improve on that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Apollo’s acquisition had given Intel more financial strength to improve on its strategy, the company said, including with the development of the Intel 4 and Intel 3 process nodes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

“A curious line to recite, especially since the combination never occurs in the play. Are you trying to improve on Shakespeare?”

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt