Get the drop on Meaning in English
expression
ˈɡɛt/, /ˈɡɪt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɹɑp/, /ˈdɹɔp/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
GETH-uh DROP-awn
ɡˈɛt/ /ðə, ði/ /dɹˈɒp/ /ˈɒn
geth-uh DROP-on
Definition
To surprise someone and gain an advantage over them, usually by acting before they do.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, often spoken idiom, sometimes with roots in old Western or crime contexts (gunfights). Can refer to gaining any advantage by being quicker or more prepared. Often used with rivalry or competition.
Spanish: tomar la delantera a - pillar por sorpresaPortuguese (BR): pegar de surpresa - sair na frente dePortuguese (PT): apanhar de surpresa - antecipar-se aChinese (Simplified): 抢先占得优势 - 先发制人Chinese (Traditional): 搶先佔得優勢 - 先發制人Hindi: चौकन्ना हो लेना - आगे निकल जानाArabic: يباغت - يتفوق علىBengali: চমকে দেওয়া এবং আগে এগিয়ে সুবিধা নেওয়া - প্রতিপক্ষকে আগে ধরার সুবিধা নেওয়াRussian: опережать - застать врасплох - взять верхJapanese: 先手を打つ - 出し抜くVietnamese: đón đầu - chiếm ưu thế trướcKorean: 기선을 제압하다 - 선수를 치다Turkish: önceden davranmak - rakibini gafil avlamakUrdu: سبقت لے جانا - چپکے سے سب پر بازی لے جاناIndonesian: mendahului - mengambil kesempatan lebih dulu
Example Sentences
If you wake up early, you can get the drop on your work.
basic
The team trained hard to get the drop on their rivals.
basic
He moved quietly to get the drop on the intruder.
basic
They were planning to leave early to get the drop on the traffic.
natural
She always tries to get the drop on her competitors by launching new products first.
natural
That little trick helped us get the drop on everyone else in the game.
natural