Meaning & use
an edge up
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
A slight advantage over someone or something else.
Grammar: Often used with 'have' or 'get' and followed by 'on' to specify the person or thing you have the advantage over.
Patterns
- have an edge up on someone
- get an edge up
- an edge up over something
Our new software gives us an edge up on the competition.
She studied hard to get an edge up in the job market.
Having a second language can give you an edge up when applying for international jobs.
Common combinations
- have an edge up on
- The team has an edge up on its rivals because of better training.
- get an edge up
- He got an edge up by arriving early to the interview.
- give someone an edge up
- A good recommendation can give you an edge up in the admissions process.
- an edge up over
- Their innovative design gave them an edge up over other companies.
Synonyms and how they differ
- advantage
- Advantage is the general word; 'an edge up' is more informal and suggests a small but decisive lead.
- upper hand
- Upper hand means control or dominance; 'an edge up' is a slight advantage, not full control.
- leg up
- Leg up means help or boost, often from someone else; 'an edge up' is a competitive advantage you have.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: an edge up or edge?
an edge up vs edge
Without 'up', 'edge' can simply mean a border or a sharp side. 'An edge up' specifically means an advantage.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'an edge up' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'on' when indicating the person or thing you have an advantage over. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “an edge up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.