ONE UP Definition & Meaning

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one up

adjective

having gained an advantage in some way that betokens success, especially over rivals.
leading an opponent by one point or one scoring unit.
The home team was one up on the visitors.
one each; tied at a score of one.
The score was one up in the ninth inning.

adverb

Printing.��with only one reproduction of a form per sheet or on a given sheet.
We must print this job one up.
Journalism.��using one more column of space than of type.

one-up

[wuhn-uhp]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

one-upped, one-upping

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

one-up

adjective

informal��having or having scored an advantage or lead over someone or something

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of one up¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of one up²

First recorded in 1960–65

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Idioms and Phrases

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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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Surely, we can't mess this one up?"

From

For months, Sir Keir has faced criticism for not being willing to set one up.

From

You better not screw this one up.

From

Scattered pizza boxes left on workbenches lend to the air of dorm-room fantasy but Morot is quick to open one up: no leftover slices, only delicate pieces of fabricated skin applications.

From

For the first one up - 71-year-old Yunice Abbas - this was done through a "enquête de personnalité", a sort of background report on a person accused of a crime which French courts regularly include in their trials.

From

one-two one-upmanship

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