One-up

To one-up someone means to surpass, outdo, or gain an advantage over them, often in a competitive or boastful manner. It involves either performing an action better than, or claiming to have a better experience or possession than, another person. This can range from friendly competition to more assertive displays of superiority. The implication is that the 'one-upper' desires to be perceived as superior, perhaps even to show-off or intimidate through a real or perceived accomplishment. The act frequently involves an element of perceived one-upmanship, a subtle form of competition. It’s a human behaviour observed in all interactions where social hierarchies are defined, whether it be with friends, business colleagues or even family members. The outcome always has an element of competitiveness, creating an incentive for a reciprocal 'one-up' act. The intention may be harmless or designed to make another person feel inferior and is often contextual

One-up meaning with examples

• During our camping trip, after I showed off my new multi-tool, my friend John immediately one-upped me by producing his vintage Swiss Army Knife, complete with a corkscrew and toothpick! This act of one-upmanship meant that he would get to use it every time we opened a bottle of wine, while I would have to watch.
• My coworker constantly one-ups me in meetings, claiming to have more experience and knowledge on every topic, even when I know I'm right. He seems to thrive on the perceived power imbalance in a conference. This behaviour is quite the strain on workplace camaraderie.
• After I told my parents about my job promotion, my brother, known for one-upping, casually mentioned his recent acquisition of a second house. It was an attempt to seem more successful, though I was genuinely happy about my new employment opportunities.
• At the party, the conversation about travel destinations became a contest of who had been to more exotic locations. Each person was trying to one-up the previous story. This constant back-and-forth became tiresome to other guests.
• The neighborhood kids continually one-up each other with their video game achievements, new toys, and stories. This constant competition, to be more impressive, is just a natural outcome of the age group, the peer pressure of being 'better' than someone else.