How Do You Spell ONE UP?

Pronunciation: [wˈɒn ˈʌp] (IPA)

The phrase "one up" is typically spelled with a hyphen between the two words. The IPA phonetic transcription of this phrase is /wʌn ʌp/, indicating the sounds of "w" as in "we", "uh" as in "but", "n", and "uh" again. The phrase is commonly used in informal conversation and means to outdo or surpass someone else. The spelling with a hyphen serves to clarify that the two words are meant to be read as a single phrase rather than separate words.

ONE UP Meaning and Definition

1. One up is a phrasal verb usually used in informal contexts to describe the act of surpassing or outdoing someone, especially in terms of achievement, success, or skill. It typically implies an individual's attempt to gain an advantage or assert superiority over others. The phrase is derived from the competitive nature of various activities and the desire to be superior or have an advantage compared to others.

   When someone "one ups" another person, they effectively outperform, outshine, or outwit them to establish dominance or superiority. This can be achieved through surpassing previous accomplishments, achieving a higher level of proficiency, or adopting a clever strategy to gain an advantage over a competitor. It is often associated with a sense of rivalry, where individuals strive to maintain the upper hand or prove their prowess.

   The phrase "one up" can also be used in a more general sense to denote someone attempting to gain an advantage or outshine others in non-competitive situations. For example, someone might try to "one up" their colleague by dressing more stylishly or speaking more eloquently during a social gathering.

   Overall, "one up" encapsulates the idea of surpassing others in some way, whether it be through achievements, skills, or social status, and denotes a competitive and assertive attitude.

Common Misspellings for ONE UP

• one up
• oNUP
• on-up
• oneup
• ine up
• kne up
• lne up
• pne up
• 0ne up
• 9ne up
• obe up
• ome up
• oje up
• ohe up
• onw up
• ons up
• ond up
• onr up
• on4 up
• on3 up

Etymology of ONE UP

The etymology of the phrase "one up" can be traced back to the 20th century, particularly in American English slang. It originated as an idiomatic expression referring to gaining an advantage or surpassing someone else in a competitive situation. The phrase can be broken down into two parts:

1. "One": This comes from the cardinal number "one", which has a long history in English and derives from various Germanic languages.

2. "Up": In this context, "up" is used as an adverbial particle that denotes elevation, progress, or improvement. It is derived from Old English and has been used in similar contexts for centuries.

When combined, "one up" forms an idiomatic phrase describing the act of outdoing or outperforming someone else.

Idioms with the word ONE UP

• be one up on (someone or something) The idiom "be one up on someone or something" means to have an advantage or to be in a superior position compared to someone or something else. It implies having more knowledge, information, or experience that gives an edge over others in a particular situation.
• get one up on (someone) The idiom "get one up on (someone)" means to gain a superior advantage or to outdo someone in a particular situation, often by outsmarting or outperforming them. It refers to a person successfully getting ahead or gaining the upper hand over someone else.
• be/get/have one up on somebody The idiom "be/get/have one up on somebody" means to have an advantage or superior position over someone else, typically in terms of knowledge, information, ability, or accomplishment. It suggests that one person has outsmarted, outperformed, or outwitted the other, giving them an upper hand in a particular situation.