get the drop on
Gain tactical surprise
To get the drop on someone is to gain an advantage over them, especially by acting before they can react.
The phrase comes from Old West imagery—drawing your gun before your opponent draws theirs: The sheriff got the drop on the outlaw.
Now used broadly for any preemptive advantage: We got the drop on our competitors by launching early.
Surprise strike from concealment
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- flankSide of body
- interceptSeize en route
- preemptAct to prevent
blindside · waylay · outflank · anticipate · counterattack · strike first · catch off guard · beat to the punch
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- flankSide of body
- interceptSeize en route
preempt · blindside · waylay · outflank · anticipate · counterattack · strike first · catch off guard · beat to the punch · lie in wait
upper hand
Position of control
outsmart · outwit · one-up · beat · overtake · surpass · gain ground · steal a march · leapfrog · undercut