Sometimes, people use special phrases to say things in fun or clever ways. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean what the words say. For example, “get a leg up” has nothing to do with legs! It means getting a good start or help in something. Idioms like this can help people talk about having an advantage in a way that’s more colorful and easy to remember.
In this article, we’ll look at idioms that talk about having an advantage. These can help you understand when someone has a better chance, a head start, or something that makes things easier for them. These idioms are often used in school, sports, work, and even in daily life. Learning them can help you understand others better and speak in a more interesting way too.
Idioms for Advantage
1. Get a leg up
Meaning: To have a helpful start or advantage.
Example Sentence:
– She got a leg up on the test because she studied early.
– He got a leg up in soccer after practicing all summer.
Other ways to say: Get ahead, have a head start
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from horseback riding, where someone helps another person by lifting their leg up to get on the horse.
Usage: Used when someone has extra help that gives them an early lead.
2. Ahead of the game
Meaning: To be more prepared or advanced than others.
Example Sentence:
– Mia finished her project early, so she’s ahead of the game.
– If you study now, you’ll be ahead of the game for next week’s quiz.
Other ways to say: Be ready early, be in front
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports where being ahead means winning.
Usage: Used when someone is doing better than expected early on.
3. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To be in control or have the better position.
Example Sentence:
– The red team had the upper hand in the second half of the game.
– He had the upper hand during the debate.
Other ways to say: Be in control, have an advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old card games where the higher hand wins.
Usage: Used when someone is doing better than others in a situation.
4. Hold all the cards
Meaning: To be in a strong or winning position.
Example Sentence:
– She held all the cards in the science fair because of her great idea.
– During the meeting, the teacher held all the cards.
Other ways to say: Be in charge, have the power
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from card games where having good cards means you’ll win.
Usage: Used when someone has all the power or good options.
5. Call the shots
Meaning: To make the important decisions.
Example Sentence:
– The coach calls the shots during practice.
– At home, mom usually calls the shots about dinner.
Other ways to say: Be the boss, make the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from shooting sports where the shooter chooses when and where to shoot.
Usage: Used when someone has the final say or control.
6. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control of a situation.
Example Sentence:
– She was in the driver’s seat during the group project.
– When he got the lead, he stayed in the driver’s seat the whole race.
Other ways to say: In control, leading
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from driving a car, where the driver controls where to go.
Usage: Used when someone is making the decisions or leading.
7. Have something up your sleeve
Meaning: To have a secret advantage or plan.
Example Sentence:
– She had a cool trick up her sleeve for the magic show.
– He always has something up his sleeve during games.
Other ways to say: Have a secret plan, be prepared
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from magicians hiding things in their sleeves.
Usage: Used when someone is ready with a surprise plan.
8. Ace in the hole
Meaning: A hidden advantage.
Example Sentence:
– Her amazing memory was her ace in the hole for the quiz.
– The coach had an ace in the hole for the final play.
Other ways to say: Secret weapon, hidden skill
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from poker, where hiding an ace can help you win.
Usage: Used when someone has something special that can help at the right time.
9. Tip the scales
Meaning: To change the result to your side.
Example Sentence:
– His last answer tipped the scales in the quiz contest.
– Her great idea tipped the scales for the group.
Other ways to say: Make the difference, turn the outcome
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from weighing items—adding weight to one side tips the scale.
Usage: Used when something small gives someone an advantage.
10. Level the playing field
Meaning: To make things fair for everyone.
Example Sentence:
– The new rule helped level the playing field for all teams.
– Giving everyone the same tools levels the playing field.
Other ways to say: Make fair, balance things
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports where a flat field means no one has a better spot.
Usage: Used when things are made fair between people or teams.
11. Come out on top
Meaning: To win or succeed.
Example Sentence:
– Despite the tough game, they came out on top.
– She came out on top after all her hard work.
Other ways to say: Win, be the best
Fun Fact/Origin: “Top” means the highest position.
Usage: Used when someone wins or finishes first.
12. Make headway
Meaning: To make progress or move forward.
Example Sentence:
– He made headway on his science project.
– We made headway fixing the school garden.
Other ways to say: Move forward, make progress
Fun Fact/Origin: From old sailing terms, meaning moving the ship ahead.
Usage: Used when someone is moving forward, even slowly.
13. Give someone a head start
Meaning: To let someone begin earlier or with an advantage.
Example Sentence:
– She gave her little brother a head start in the race.
– The teacher gave us a head start on the homework.
Other ways to say: Let start early, give an early chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in races or contests.
Usage: Used when someone starts before others to help them.
14. Get the jump on
Meaning: To act before others and gain an advantage.
Example Sentence:
– He got the jump on the sale and bought the best shoes.
– She got the jump on her chores and finished early.
Other ways to say: Act early, move ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports or races where starting fast helps.
Usage: Used when someone acts quickly to do better.
15. Step ahead of
Meaning: To be slightly better or faster than someone.
Example Sentence:
– He was always one step ahead of his classmates in math.
– She stayed a step ahead of her opponent in chess.
Other ways to say: Slightly ahead, leading
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple walking phrase used to show progress.
Usage: Used when someone stays ahead in effort or results.
16. Beat someone to the punch
Meaning: To do something before someone else.
Example Sentence:
– She beat me to the punch and answered the question first.
– He beat the other team to the punch by scoring early.
Other ways to say: Act first, get ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing, where landing the first punch gives an advantage.
Usage: Used when someone does something before others get a chance.
17. Ahead of the pack
Meaning: Doing better than others in a group.
Example Sentence:
– She’s ahead of the pack in reading.
– His idea put him ahead of the pack in class.
Other ways to say: In the lead, out front
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from dog races, where the fastest dogs are ahead.
Usage: Used when someone is better or faster than others.
18. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start too early, often to gain an edge.
Example Sentence:
– He jumped the gun by answering before hearing the full question.
– She jumped the gun and started before the teacher said go.
Other ways to say: Start too early, rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from races where starting before the signal is jumping the gun.
Usage: Used when someone starts early, sometimes unfairly.
19. On the front foot
Meaning: To be ready and in a strong position.
Example Sentence:
– She’s on the front foot with her science project.
– The team stayed on the front foot the whole game.
Other ways to say: Be ready, take charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports like cricket or boxing, meaning being ready to attack.
Usage: Used when someone is prepared and leading.
20. Cut ahead
Meaning: To move in front of others.
Example Sentence:
– He cut ahead in line to get the last cookie.
– She cut ahead in the race with a burst of speed.
Other ways to say: Move in front, get ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly seen in lines or races.
Usage: Used when someone moves forward, sometimes without waiting.
21. Edge out
Meaning: To win by a small amount.
Example Sentence:
– She edged out her friend to win the spelling bee.
– The red team edged out the blue team in the last second.
Other ways to say: Just win, barely beat
Fun Fact/Origin: “Edge” means a small lead.
Usage: Used when someone barely wins or passes someone.
22. Be in the lead
Meaning: To be ahead of others.
Example Sentence:
– Our team is in the lead with five points.
– He was in the lead most of the race.
Other ways to say: Be ahead, first place
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from races where the first person is “leading.”
Usage: Used when someone is in front during a contest.
23. Call first dibs
Meaning: To claim something before others.
Example Sentence:
– I called first dibs on the front seat!
– She called dibs on the last cookie.
Other ways to say: Claim, go first
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dibs” comes from an old British game.
Usage: Used when someone claims something before others.
24. Be in pole position
Meaning: To be in the best starting spot.
Example Sentence:
– She’s in pole position to win the art contest.
– The car in pole position usually has a better chance.
Other ways to say: Best starting place, top spot
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from car racing where the first car starts in “pole position.”
Usage: Used when someone starts from a strong place.
25. Have a leg to stand on
Meaning: To have a good reason or support.
Example Sentence:
– He didn’t have a leg to stand on when he skipped homework.
– She had a leg to stand on because she finished all her tasks.
Other ways to say: Have a good reason, have support
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from standing — if you have no legs, you can’t stand.
Usage: Used when someone has a good point or reason.
26. Be miles ahead
Meaning: To be much better or far in front.
Example Sentence:
– She’s miles ahead in her book report.
– That team is miles ahead in the game.
Other ways to say: Way ahead, far in front
Fun Fact/Origin: A way to say someone is very far ahead, not just a little.
Usage: Used when someone is clearly ahead.
27. Be on top of things
Meaning: To be organized and in control.
Example Sentence:
– He’s really on top of things with his schoolwork.
– She’s on top of things at the bake sale.
Other ways to say: In control, well prepared
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of being on top of a situation so you can see everything.
Usage: Used when someone is managing tasks well.
28. Pull ahead
Meaning: To move in front after being behind.
Example Sentence:
– The runner pulled ahead in the last lap.
– She pulled ahead with her great answers.
Other ways to say: Get ahead, move forward
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from racing.
Usage: Used when someone moves ahead after being behind.
29. Come from behind
Meaning: To win or succeed after being behind.
Example Sentence:
– The team came from behind to win the game.
– He came from behind to finish first.
Other ways to say: Catch up, surprise win
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports and games.
Usage: Used when someone wins after losing at first.
30. Turn the tables
Meaning: To change a situation to your advantage.
Example Sentence:
– She turned the tables by finding the right answer.
– He turned the tables during the game with a clever move.
Other ways to say: Change things, flip the situation
Fun Fact/Origin: From board games where players switch positions.
Usage: Used when someone changes things to win.
31. Gain ground
Meaning: To make progress or catch up.
Example Sentence:
– Our team started slow but gained ground by halftime.
– She gained ground with each correct answer.
Other ways to say: Catch up, move forward
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from war or sports where taking ground means progress.
Usage: Used when someone is getting closer or improving.
32. Have an edge
Meaning: To have a small advantage.
Example Sentence:
– He had an edge because he practiced more.
– Her drawing skills gave her an edge in art class.
Other ways to say: Small lead, slight advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: “Edge” means being just ahead.
Usage: Used when someone has something extra that helps.
33. Be in the clear
Meaning: To be safe or out of trouble.
Example Sentence:
– He studied hard, so now he’s in the clear for the test.
– Once the storm passed, we were in the clear.
Other ways to say: Safe, not in danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of clear skies after clouds go away.
Usage: Used when someone avoids trouble or a problem.
34. Stack the deck
Meaning: To set things up unfairly for an advantage.
Example Sentence:
– They stacked the deck by only letting tall kids play.
– It felt like the deck was stacked against her.
Other ways to say: Unfair setup, rig the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from card games where cheating means fixing the deck.
Usage: Used when someone sets things up to win unfairly.
35. Give someone the edge
Meaning: To help someone do better.
Example Sentence:
– The extra study guide gave him the edge.
– Her tutor gave her the edge on the test.
Other ways to say: Help, give an advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “having an edge” — means a small boost.
Usage: Used when something gives someone a helpful push.
36. Be well-positioned
Meaning: To be in a good place to succeed.
Example Sentence:
– She’s well-positioned to win with her good grades.
– They were well-positioned for the final round.
Other ways to say: In a good spot, ready to win
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports or business.
Usage: Used when someone is set up for success.
37. Be quick off the mark
Meaning: To start fast and gain an advantage.
Example Sentence:
– He was quick off the mark in the spelling bee.
– She was quick off the mark and finished first.
Other ways to say: Start fast, act quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: From racing—starting fast when the race begins.
Usage: Used when someone begins better or faster than others.
38. Be on a roll
Meaning: To keep doing well again and again.
Example Sentence:
– She’s on a roll with her math scores.
– He was on a roll during the game, scoring every time.
Other ways to say: Doing great, on fire
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from rolling dice or games where luck keeps going.
Usage: Used when someone keeps succeeding.
39. Ride the wave
Meaning: To take advantage of something good that’s happening.
Example Sentence:
– He rode the wave of success after his big win.
– She rode the wave of excitement in the class.
Other ways to say: Go with the flow, enjoy success
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from surfing, where riding a wave is about catching the right moment.
Usage: Used when someone enjoys success and keeps going with it.
40. Be in luck
Meaning: To be lucky or have something good happen.
Example Sentence:
– You’re in luck—the store has your size!
– He was in luck when the test was postponed.
Other ways to say: Lucky, have good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple way to show good things happened.
Usage: Used when something good happens by chance.
41. Have the inside track
Meaning: To have secret or special knowledge.
Example Sentence:
– She had the inside track on the quiz because her sister took it last year.
– He had the inside track on the game rules.
Other ways to say: Secret info, special help
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from racing where the inside track is shorter and faster.
Usage: Used when someone has helpful knowledge others don’t.
42. Be a step ahead
Meaning: To plan or act before others.
Example Sentence:
– She was always a step ahead in her classwork.
– He stayed a step ahead of his homework.
Other ways to say: Be ready, be prepared
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of walking one step in front of someone.
Usage: Used when someone is smarter or quicker than others.
43. Turn the corner
Meaning: To improve after trouble.
Example Sentence:
– The team turned the corner after a rough start.
– He turned the corner and started doing better in school.
Other ways to say: Get better, improve
Fun Fact/Origin: Like walking around a corner into something better.
Usage: Used when someone moves from hard times into a better situation.
Quiz: Idioms for Advantage
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Pick A, B, or C.
Question Key
1. What does “get a leg up” mean?
A) To hurt your leg
B) To get a helpful start
C) To jump high
2. If someone is “ahead of the game,” they are:
A) Already losing
B) Behind everyone else
C) More prepared than others
3. What does “call the shots” mean?
A) To decide what happens
B) To call for help
C) To take a picture
4. If someone “holds all the cards,” what do they have?
A) A big collection of games
B) All the power in the situation
C) No chance of winning
5. What does it mean to “beat someone to the punch”?
A) Hit someone
B) Get there first
C) Lose the chance
6. If someone is “on the front foot,” what are they doing?
A) Running in a race
B) Sitting quietly
C) Being ready or strong
7. What does “stack the deck” mean?
A) Build a tower
B) Play fairly
C) Set things up unfairly to win
8. If you “have an edge” in a game, what does it mean?
A) You are nervous
B) You have an advantage
C) You are losing
9. What does “ride the wave” mean?
A) Surfing
B) Enjoying success
C) Falling down
10. If someone is “quick off the mark,” they:
A) Start fast
B) Move slowly
C) Fall behind
11. What does “turn the tables” mean?
A) To clean the table
B) To change things in your favor
C) To flip furniture
12. If you “gain ground,” what are you doing?
A) Falling back
B) Standing still
C) Catching up
13. What does “be on a roll” mean?
A) Keep doing well
B) Lying down
C) Making bread
14. If someone is “in pole position,” they are:
A) Holding a flag
B) In the best starting spot
C) Lost in the game
15. What does “turn the corner” mean?
A) Walk around the block
B) Get better after problems
C) Hide from trouble
Answer Key
- B) To get a helpful start
- C) More prepared than others
- A) To decide what happens
- B) All the power in the situation
- B) Get there first
- C) Being ready or strong
- C) Set things up unfairly to win
- B) You have an advantage
- B) Enjoying success
- A) Start fast
- B) To change things in your favor
- C) Catching up
- A) Keep doing well
- B) In the best starting spot
- B) Get better after problems
Wrapping Up
Idioms help us understand things in fun and simple ways. When we talk about winning or doing better, these idioms for advantage show how people explain it. From “getting a leg up” to “being on a roll,” they help us picture success in everyday life.
By learning these phrases, you can speak and understand English better. They are used in games, school, sports, and even at home. The more you know, the easier it is to follow along and join in.
