oneupmanship Definition
the art or practice of gaining an advantage over another person or group by pre-empting or thwarting their attempts to do something; the ability to stay one step ahead of a competitor or opponent.
Using oneupmanship: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "oneupmanship" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The two colleagues engaged in a constant game of oneupmanship, each trying to prove themselves superior.
Example
His oneupmanship tactics were successful in securing him the promotion.
Example
The company's oneupmanship strategy involved releasing a new product before their competitors.
oneupmanship Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for oneupmanship
Idioms Using oneupmanship
Example
He managed to get one up on his rival by securing a key partnership deal.
Example
The two friends were constantly one-upping each other with their travel stories.
Example
The political debate quickly devolved into a session of play oneupmanship, with each candidate trying to make the other look bad.
Phrases with oneupmanship
a situation where individuals try to outdo each other intellectually, often by using complex language or obscure references
Example
The academic conference turned into a competition of intellectual oneupmanship, with each speaker trying to impress the audience with their knowledge.
a situation where companies try to outdo each other in terms of innovation, market share, or profitability
Example
The tech industry is known for its corporate oneupmanship, with companies constantly trying to release better products and services than their competitors.
social media oneupmanship
a situation where individuals try to outdo each other on social media by posting more impressive or glamorous content
Example
The rise of social media has led to a culture of social media oneupmanship, with people constantly trying to show off their lifestyles and experiences online.
Origins of oneupmanship
from the phrase 'one up', meaning to surpass or outdo someone, and the suffix '-manship', denoting skill or ability
Summary: oneupmanship in Brief
'Oneupmanship' [wʌnˈʌpmənʃɪp] refers to the art or practice of gaining an advantage over someone by pre-empting or thwarting their attempts to do something. It can be seen in various contexts, from corporate strategy to social media, and is often characterized by a competition to outdo or surpass others. Examples include 'His oneupmanship tactics were successful in securing him the promotion.' and 'The two colleagues engaged in a constant game of oneupmanship, each trying to prove themselves superior.'
