go one better
Top the competition
To go one better is to surpass what someone else has done or offered, often competitively: She made a generous donation, and he went one better by doubling it.
The phrase suggests topping an achievement or bid by a single increment, though it often implies exceeding by any margin: They went one better and hired a live band.
outdo
Exceed in achievement
- surpassExceed in achievement
- outperformAchieve superior results
- outshineExceed in brilliance
eclipse · trump · beat · top · exceed · outclass · outpace · outstrip · overtake · prevail
go one betterfall short
Fail to reach standard
come up short · pale in comparison · underperform · lag behind · take a step back
go one bettersettle
Reach final terms
settle for less · rest on one's laurels · phone it in · coast · underachieve
go one bettersettle
Reach final terms
leave well enough alone · rest on one's laurels · stand pat · let it be · hold steady