Definition of one-up
: to practice one-upmanship on
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Origin and Etymology of one-up
back-formation from one-upmanship
one up
Definition of one up
: being in a position of advantage
—usually used with on
Recent Examples of one up from the Web
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Anyone who would like to vote absentee can pick one up at the city hall building at 2022 Ahkovak St. The city noted any questions about the election may be directed to City Clerk Leavitt at 907-852-5211.
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Pick this one up to find out! Sparks! by Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto Grade schoolers will love this super funny graphic novel featuring two silly cats, August and Charlie.
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Late-night hosts devoted part of their Thursday night shows to addressing former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump each threatening to beat the other one up.
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Say, remember back in the 1960s, when women weren't taken seriously behind the camera, and female directors were almost non-existent and studios would take a chance on a hundred unqualified men before handing a movie to one up-and-coming woman?
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Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg could be the next one up.
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Dressed in head to toe Disney gear, each original look one upped the last to reach new heights of what Disney's newfound footing in fashion really means.
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Great Lakes' Nosferatu is in fifth place, one up from a week ago.
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Facebook and Twitter require proof of identity to shut down an impostor account but none to set one up.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'one up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of one up
1919
ONE-UP Defined for English Language Learners
one up
Definition of one up for English Language Learners
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: having an advantage over someone : in a position that is better than someone else's position
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