Sometimes, people use special phrases to explain how they get ahead or do well in life. These phrases are called idioms. An idiom is a group of words that means something different from what the words say. For example, if someone says they “have the upper hand,” it doesn’t mean they are holding up a hand it means they are in control or doing better than others.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that show how someone has an advantage. These idioms are often used in school, sports, and daily life. They can help you understand what people mean when they talk about winning, leading, or having something helpful on their side. By learning these idioms, you can also use them in your own speaking and writing.
Idioms for Advantage
1. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To be in control or have more power.
For Example: Jenny had the upper hand in the game after scoring three points. / The teacher had the upper hand in the classroom.
Alternatively: He’s the one in charge. / She’s leading.
2. A leg up
Meaning: To have a better start or extra help.
For Example: She had a leg up because she studied early. / He got a leg up with help from his big brother.
Alternatively: Got a head start / Got help early
3. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: Being the one making decisions or in control.
For Example: After winning the first round, she was in the driver’s seat. / He’s in the driver’s seat for the science fair.
Alternatively: In charge / Making choices
4. Ahead of the game
Meaning: To be doing better than others or being well prepared.
For Example: He’s ahead of the game because he started his homework early. / She’s ahead of the game in reading class.
Alternatively: Leading / Doing well early
5. Call the shots
Meaning: To be the one who makes decisions.
For Example: Mom calls the shots at home. / The coach calls the shots for the team.
Alternatively: Makes the rules / Decides
6. Pull strings
Meaning: To use connections to get an advantage.
For Example: He pulled some strings to get us front-row seats. / She pulled strings to get into the club early.
Alternatively: Used help / Got favors
7. Have something up your sleeve
Meaning: To have a secret plan or idea.
For Example: She had a trick up her sleeve for the talent show. / He had something up his sleeve for the surprise game.
Alternatively: Hidden idea / Secret plan
8. On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling great because of success.
For Example: He felt on top of the world after winning the race. / I was on top of the world when I got an A.
Alternatively: Very happy / Feeling proud
9. Beat someone to the punch
Meaning: To do something before someone else does.
For Example: She beat me to the punch and turned in her project first. / He beat his friend to the punch by getting the last donut.
Alternatively: Got there first / Moved fast
10. Come out ahead
Meaning: To finish in a better position.
For Example: He came out ahead by saving his allowance. / She came out ahead after finishing early.
Alternatively: Did better / Won
11. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something quickly and with energy.
For Example: She hit the ground running on her school project. / He hit the ground running at practice.
Alternatively: Started strong / Began fast
12. Hold all the cards
Meaning: To be in a strong position to win or decide.
For Example: She held all the cards during the group game. / The teacher held all the cards during the quiz.
Alternatively: Has the power / Can choose
13. Ace up your sleeve
Meaning: A secret advantage or skill.
For Example: His drawing skills were an ace up his sleeve. / She had an ace up her sleeve with her memory.
Alternatively: Secret talent / Hidden help
14. Have the edge
Meaning: To have a small but helpful advantage.
For Example: His quick thinking gave him the edge in class. / She had the edge because she practiced more.
Alternatively: Slight lead / Small win
15. On a roll
Meaning: Doing well over and over again.
For Example: He was on a roll with spelling tests. / She’s on a roll in basketball this week.
Alternatively: Doing great / Winning streak
16. Make headway
Meaning: To make progress.
For Example: I made headway on my science project. / She’s making headway in math.
Alternatively: Moving forward / Getting closer
17. Get a foot in the door
Meaning: To get a small chance to start something good.
For Example: He got a foot in the door with his first art job. / That speech got her foot in the door with the club.
Alternatively: First chance / First step
18. Level the playing field
Meaning: To make things fair.
For Example: The new rule helped level the playing field. / Giving everyone the same tools leveled the field.
Alternatively: Make fair / Even the odds
19. Gain ground
Meaning: To catch up or move forward.
For Example: I gained ground on my reading level. / He gained ground in the race.
Alternatively: Moved ahead / Got closer
20. Tip the scales
Meaning: To make something change slightly in one’s favor.
For Example: Her extra practice tipped the scales. / His joke tipped the scales in his favor.
Alternatively: Made the difference / Helped win
21. Make a breakthrough
Meaning: To make a big step forward.
For Example: He made a breakthrough with his robot project. / She had a breakthrough in piano practice.
Alternatively: Big step / Solved something hard
22. In your favor
Meaning: Something is helping you win or succeed.
For Example: The weather was in our favor for the game. / That question was in her favor.
Alternatively: Helped me / Good for me
23. Play your cards right
Meaning: To make good choices for success.
For Example: If you play your cards right, you’ll win. / She played her cards right and got a prize.
Alternatively: Made smart moves / Chose well
24. Get the jump on
Meaning: To start before others and get ahead.
For Example: He got the jump on his homework. / She got the jump on the race.
Alternatively: Started early / Took off fast
25. Put one over on
Meaning: To trick someone for an advantage.
For Example: He put one over on me and got the last cookie. / She put one over on her brother.
Alternatively: Fooled / Tricked
26. On easy street
Meaning: In a good and comfortable position.
For Example: After saving money, he was on easy street. / She’s on easy street with her good grades.
Alternatively: Doing well / Feeling safe
27. Beat the odds
Meaning: To succeed when it was hard.
For Example: She beat the odds and won the contest. / He beat the odds in the math challenge.
Alternatively: Succeeded anyway / Did what seemed hard
28. Take the cake
Meaning: To be the best or most special.
For Example: Her drawing took the cake in the art show. / That idea takes the cake!
Alternatively: Best one / Winner
29. Tip your hand
Meaning: To show your plans or secrets too early.
For Example: He tipped his hand during the game. / She tipped her hand with that answer.
Alternatively: Gave it away / Revealed too soon
30. Lead the pack
Meaning: To be ahead of others.
For Example: He leads the pack in spelling scores. / She’s leading the pack in reading.
Alternatively: At the front / First place
31. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start too early.
For Example: She jumped the gun and answered before the question ended. / He jumped the gun at the race.
Alternatively: Too soon / Got ahead
32. Come out swinging
Meaning: To start strong and with effort.
For Example: He came out swinging in the game. / She came out swinging with her project.
Alternatively: Gave full effort / Strong start
33. In the clear
Meaning: Safe from trouble or problems.
For Example: She was in the clear after turning in her homework. / We were in the clear after explaining.
Alternatively: Safe / No worries
34. A fighting chance
Meaning: A small but real chance to win.
For Example: He had a fighting chance to win the spelling bee. / She had a fighting chance in the game.
Alternatively: Real shot / Maybe can win
35. Get off to a flying start
Meaning: Start something really well.
For Example: He got off to a flying start in class. / Our team had a flying start in the tournament.
Alternatively: Great beginning / Started well
36. In pole position
Meaning: In the best place to begin or win.
For Example: She’s in pole position for the contest. / He’s in pole position for student council.
Alternatively: Great spot / Best place
37. Have an in
Meaning: Know someone or have a way in.
For Example: He had an in with the coach. / She had an in for the club.
Alternatively: Got a way in / Knew someone
38. Run circles around
Meaning: To do much better than others.
For Example: She runs circles around others in math. / He ran circles around the team.
Alternatively: Much better / Super fast
39. Give someone a run for their money
Meaning: To challenge someone and make them try hard.
For Example: He gave the best player a run for his money. / She gave me a run for my money in the contest.
Alternatively: Tough match / Strong challenge
40. Get the green light
Meaning: To get permission or be allowed to start.
For Example: We got the green light to begin. / She got the green light for her idea.
Alternatively: Got approval / Okay to go
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Advantage
- If someone has “a leg up,” it means they are in trouble and need help.
True / False - “In the driver’s seat” means you’re the one making decisions.
True / False - If you “tip your hand,” it means you hide your secret plan carefully.
True / False - Saying someone is “ahead of the game” means they are falling behind.
True / False - “Call the shots” means to be the one in charge.
True / False - If someone says you “beat the odds,” it means you failed at something.
True / False - “Hit the ground running” means to start something slowly and wait for others.
True / False - If you are “on easy street,” things are going smoothly for you.
True / False - “Have an ace up your sleeve” means you have no plan or skill.
True / False - “Run circles around” someone means you are doing much better than them.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms are short phrases that can say a lot. Idioms for advantage help explain when someone is doing well, getting ahead, or making good choices. These sayings make it easier to talk about winning or making progress.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand stories, people, and even your own feelings. Keep practicing them. Soon, you’ll be using these phrases like a pro at school, at home, or anywhere you speak.
