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• one up
  one up

  adjective

  having gained an advantage in some way that betokens success, especially over rivals.
• one-up
  one-up

  verb (used with object)

  to get the better of; succeed in being a point, move, step, etc., ahead of (someone).

one up

¹ American  

adjective

1. having gained an advantage in some way that betokens success, especially over rivals.

2. leading an opponent by one point or one scoring unit.

   The home team was one up on the visitors.

3. one each; tied at a score of one.

   The score was one up in the ninth inning.

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adverb

1. Printing. with only one reproduction of a form per sheet or on a given sheet.

   We must print this job one up.

2. Journalism. using one more column of space than of type.

one-up ² American  

[wuhn-uhp] / ˈwʌnˈʌp /

verb (used with object)

one-upped, one-upping

1. to get the better of; succeed in being a point, move, step, etc., ahead of (someone).

   They one-upped the competition.

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one-up British  

adjective

1. informal having or having scored an advantage or lead over someone or something

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one up Idioms  

1. Having an advantage or lead over someone, as in Sara is one up on Jane because she passed algebra in summer school. This expression comes from sports, where it means to be one point ahead of one's opponents. It was transferred to more general use about 1920.

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Etymology

Origin of one up¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of one-up²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

While there are other ways for parents to save money for children, experts say it’s worth setting one up just in case your child becomes eligible for a contribution.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

Ontario is building a 199-acre one around a minor league ballpark; Irvine has a 194-acre one up and running at its Great Park.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

The same logic works in reverse: travelers who want a London IP for the BBC iPlayer or a Tokyo IP for region-locked Japanese services can spin one up in seconds.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

If you don’t splurge on an airport lei greeting, pick one up at a local Target.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

“Well, curl my whiskers! The young scoundrel has a brain, and it works too. It’s got to be the fourth step, the middle one up or down.”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques