one-up

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈone-ˈup,  v. [~ + object] , -upped, -up•ping. 

1. to gain an advantage over:
   With this new plan, we can one-up the competition.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

one-up adjective

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

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

one′ up′, 

1. having gained an advantage in some way that betokens success, esp. 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.
4. [Print.] with only one reproduction of a form per sheet or on a given sheet:
   We must print this job one up.
5. Journalism using one more column of space than of type.
• 1920–25

one-up  (wun′up′), v.t., -upped, -up•ping. 

1. to get the better of;
   succeed in being a point, move, step, etc., ahead of (someone):
   They one-upped the competition.

• 1960–65