one-up
Edge past someone
To one-up someone is to outdo them, especially by going slightly beyond what they've done or said.
It implies competitive escalation—matching someone's achievement and then topping it: He always has to one-up everyone's stories.
As an adjective, one-up means having a one-point advantage: We're one-up with two minutes left.
Exceed in achievement
- outperformAchieve superior results
- exceedGo past a limit
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- outshineExceed in brilliance
overtake · outclass · best · trump · top · beat · outpace · outstrip
Additional player attempt
- power-upCollected in-game enhancement
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- level upAdvance in rank
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
mushroom · boost · upgrade · collectible · achievement · high score · combo · multiplier
Defeat through superior cunning
- outwitBeat through superior cunning
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- outplayDefeat through superior performance
- countermoveResponding strategic action
gambit · ploy · stratagem · bluff · psych out · mind games · tactics · cunning
Excessive self-praise
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
smugness · self-satisfaction · humble brag · name-dropping · showing off · peacocking · flexing · chest-thumping
One striving against others
- opponentOne who contends against
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- contenderOne competing seriously
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
foe · challenger · archrival · counterpart · peer · equal · match · sparring partner
outdo
Exceed in achievement
- outperformAchieve superior results
- exceedGo past a limit
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
outshine · overtake · outclass · best · trump · top · beat · outpace · outstrip · transcend
extra life
Additional player attempt
respawn · mushroom · boost · upgrade · collectible · achievement · high score · combo · multiplier · cheat code
outsmart
Defeat through superior cunning
- outwitBeat through superior cunning
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- outplayDefeat through superior performance
countermove · gambit · ploy · stratagem · bluff · psych out · mind games · tactics · cunning · scheming
boasting
Excessive self-praise
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
swagger · smugness · self-satisfaction · humble brag · name-dropping · showing off · peacocking · flexing · chest-thumping · crowing
competitor
One striving against others
adversary · foe · challenger · archrival · counterpart · peer · equal · match · sparring partner · foil
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
- improve wordsbetter, improve, enhance, upgrade, refine
- showing offboasting, bragged, show off, bragging, boasted
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
one-upfall behind
Fail to maintain pace
lose ground · come up short · lag behind · eat humble pie · lose face