Definition of "one up" in English

Verb

1. To outdo, to perform something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.

   • Every year the neighbors try to one-up each other with their holiday lights.

Noun

1. An advantage over someone.

   • WePay wants to get one-up in the mobile payments race with its new iOS app for small businesses.

2. Alternative spelling of 1-up (“extra life”).

   • If you hit that block, you can get a one up.