Have you ever heard someone say they “have the upper hand” or they’re “ahead of the game”? These phrases are idioms that describe having an advantage. Idioms are special phrases people use to share ideas in a more colorful and interesting way. Learning idioms helps you understand stories and conversations better. Knowing idioms about advantage can also help you express yourself clearly and understand how others feel in different situations.
In this article, you will discover idioms that show when someone has a better chance or an easier path. Maybe it’s because they planned carefully, or perhaps luck is on their side. You’ll learn what these idioms mean and how you can use them. By the end, you’ll recognize when someone is talking about having an advantage and how to use these idioms yourself.
Idioms for Advantage
1. Ace up your sleeve
Meaning: A secret advantage
Sample Sentences: He had an ace up his sleeve during the spelling bee. / She used her ace up her sleeve to win the game.
Other Way to Say: Hidden trick / Secret help
2. Call the shots
Meaning: Be in control
Sample Sentences: My mom calls the shots when it’s cleaning day. / The coach calls the shots at practice.
Other Way to Say: In charge / Makes the rules
3. Ahead of the game
Meaning: Doing better than others early
Sample Sentences: I started my project early, so I’m ahead of the game. / She studied last week and is ahead of the game now.
Other Way to Say: Winning early / In front
4. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control of what’s happening
Sample Sentences: When I plan the party, I’m in the driver’s seat. / He was in the driver’s seat during group work.
Other Way to Say: Leading / In control
5. Have the upper hand
Meaning: Be in a stronger position
Sample Sentences: She had the upper hand after scoring first. / I had the upper hand because I read the book already.
Other Way to Say: Stronger side / Better spot
6. On your side
Meaning: Having support
Sample Sentences: I felt better with my friend on my side. / The teacher was on my side during the debate.
Other Way to Say: Helping you / Supporting you
7. Jump the gun
Meaning: Start too early, sometimes to get ahead
Sample Sentences: He jumped the gun in the race. / She jumped the gun by answering too soon.
Other Way to Say: Started too fast / Too early
8. In your corner
Meaning: Someone who supports you
Sample Sentences: My brother is always in my corner. / I feel brave with Dad in my corner.
Other Way to Say: Backing me up / On my team
9. Ahead of the curve
Meaning: Smarter or faster than most
Sample Sentences: He was ahead of the curve in math class. / She’s ahead of the curve with her reading.
Other Way to Say: Doing better / Learning fast
10. Hold all the cards
Meaning: Have all the power
Sample Sentences: She held all the cards during the game. / He held all the cards when picking teams.
Other Way to Say: In charge / Power in hand
11. Have something up your sleeve
Meaning: Have a secret plan
Sample Sentences: I have a trick up my sleeve for the science fair. / She always has something up her sleeve.
Other Way to Say: Secret plan / Surprise idea
12. In a strong position
Meaning: Likely to win or do well
Sample Sentences: We’re in a strong position to win the contest. / He’s in a strong position in the spelling bee.
Other Way to Say: Doing well / Likely to win
13. Get the green light
Meaning: Get permission to start
Sample Sentences: We got the green light for our class trip. / Mom gave me the green light to bake cookies.
Other Way to Say: Got approval / Okay to go
14. Have the edge
Meaning: Slightly better than others
Sample Sentences: She had the edge because she practiced more. / His idea gave him the edge in the game.
Other Way to Say: Small advantage / Tiny lead
15. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than needed
Sample Sentences: He went the extra mile on his project. / She always goes the extra mile to help.
Other Way to Say: Work harder / Do more
16. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start strong
Sample Sentences: He hit the ground running on the first day of school. / She hit the ground running in soccer practice.
Other Way to Say: Start fast / Begin strong
17. Play your cards right
Meaning: Make smart choices
Sample Sentences: If you play your cards right, you’ll win. / She played her cards right and got picked for the team.
Other Way to Say: Make good moves / Be smart
18. Have an in
Meaning: Know someone who can help
Sample Sentences: I had an in with the teacher, so I got advice. / She had an in with the coach.
Other Way to Say: Inside help / Special link
19. Tip the scales
Meaning: Make things go your way
Sample Sentences: His answer tipped the scales in his favor. / The bonus points tipped the scales for our team.
Other Way to Say: Help win / Make the difference
20. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Try your hardest
Sample Sentences: I put my best foot forward at tryouts. / She put her best foot forward for the art contest.
Other Way to Say: Try hard / Do your best
21. Be on top of the world
Meaning: Feel very happy or successful
Sample Sentences: I felt on top of the world after getting an A. / She was on top of the world after winning.
Other Way to Say: Super happy / Feeling great
22. Land on your feet
Meaning: End up okay even after trouble
Sample Sentences: He lost his toy but landed on his feet by finding a better one. / I landed on my feet after the mix-up.
Other Way to Say: Got lucky / Ended up fine
23. Big fish in a small pond
Meaning: Important in a small group
Sample Sentences: He’s a big fish in a small pond at school. / She felt like a big fish at the spelling bee.
Other Way to Say: A standout / The main person
24. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: Start something
Sample Sentences: I got the ball rolling on our group project. / She got the ball rolling with her idea.
Other Way to Say: Begin / Start moving
25. Light a fire under someone
Meaning: Make someone act quickly
Sample Sentences: The coach lit a fire under the team. / My friend lit a fire under me to study.
Other Way to Say: Motivate / Push to act
26. Be a game changer
Meaning: Make a big difference
Sample Sentences: Her help was a game changer for our team. / That new rule is a game changer.
Other Way to Say: Big help / Big change
27. Level the playing field
Meaning: Make things fair
Sample Sentences: The rule helped level the playing field. / The teacher leveled the playing field by giving hints.
Other Way to Say: Make it fair / Equal chance
28. Swing into action
Meaning: Start doing something fast
Sample Sentences: We swung into action to clean up. / The team swung into action after the coach yelled.
Other Way to Say: Act fast / Jump in
29. Ahead of your time
Meaning: Smart or creative before others
Sample Sentences: Her idea was ahead of its time. / He was ahead of his time with that robot.
Other Way to Say: Smart early / Future thinker
30. Catch a break
Meaning: Have something good happen
Sample Sentences: I finally caught a break with easy homework. / He caught a break and won the prize.
Other Way to Say: Got lucky / Got a good chance
31. Pull some strings
Meaning: Use connections to get help
Sample Sentences: My uncle pulled some strings to get me into the camp. / She pulled some strings for us to join the club.
Other Way to Say: Used connections / Got help
32. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the important part
Sample Sentences: Let’s cut to the chase and pick teams. / He cut to the chase and asked his question.
Other Way to Say: Get to the point / Skip extra stuff
33. The inside track
Meaning: Special or better way to win
Sample Sentences: He had the inside track for the contest. / She got the inside track with extra practice.
Other Way to Say: Better chance / Special help
34. Know the ropes
Meaning: Know how things work
Sample Sentences: She knows the ropes in this club. / He showed me the ropes on the computer.
Other Way to Say: Understand / Know the way
35. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Get something very good
Sample Sentences: I hit the jackpot with that prize. / She hit the jackpot at the fair.
Other Way to Say: Got lucky / Big win
36. Keep your eye on the ball
Meaning: Stay focused
Sample Sentences: Keep your eye on the ball during the test. / He kept his eye on the ball and won the game.
Other Way to Say: Focus / Pay attention
37. Make a splash
Meaning: Get attention in a good way
Sample Sentences: She made a splash with her poster. / He made a splash at the talent show.
Other Way to Say: Stood out / Got noticed
38. Raise the bar
Meaning: Set a higher standard
Sample Sentences: She raised the bar with her artwork. / His goal raised the bar for the team.
Other Way to Say: Made things better / Improved things
39. A leg up
Meaning: A small help or advantage
Sample Sentences: The hint gave me a leg up on the quiz. / She got a leg up with extra practice.
Other Way to Say: A small help / Head start
40. Walk in the park
Meaning: Something very easy
Sample Sentences: That homework was a walk in the park. / The test felt like a walk in the park.
Other Way to Say: Super easy / No problem
41. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A great chance
Sample Sentences: That was a golden opportunity to show my skill. / Don’t miss this golden opportunity.
Other Way to Say: Great chance / Big moment
42. Make headway
Meaning: Make progress
Sample Sentences: I made headway on my project today. / She made headway in reading.
Other Way to Say: Got ahead / Did more
43. Smooth sailing
Meaning: Going easy without problems
Sample Sentences: After practice, it was smooth sailing. / It’s smooth sailing now that I understand.
Other Way to Say: Easy going / No trouble
44. Up your game
Meaning: Try harder or do better
Sample Sentences: I need to up my game for the finals. / She upped her game in the race.
Other Way to Say: Do better / Try more
45. Play it smart
Meaning: Make good choices
Sample Sentences: He played it smart during the quiz. / I played it smart and asked for help.
Other Way to Say: Be wise / Think ahead
46. Seal the deal
Meaning: Finish something with success
Sample Sentences: Her answer sealed the deal. / We sealed the deal with our plan.
Other Way to Say: Locked it in / Made it work
47. Step up your game
Meaning: Improve what you’re doing
Sample Sentences: I stepped up my game for the contest. / She stepped up her game in basketball.
Other Way to Say: Did better / Worked harder
48. Beat them to the punch
Meaning: Do something before someone else
Sample Sentences: I beat them to the punch and turned in my project early. / He beat them to the punch with his idea.
Other Way to Say: Got there first / Acted quickly
49. Get off to a flying start
Meaning: Begin very well
Sample Sentences: Our team got off to a flying start. / I got off to a flying start in art class.
Other Way to Say: Good beginning / Strong start
50. Hit the mark
Meaning: Do something right
Sample Sentences: Her answer hit the mark. / I hit the mark with my painting.
Other Way to Say: Got it right / Did well
51. A step ahead
Meaning: Being in front or early
Sample Sentences: I’m a step ahead with my homework. / She’s always a step ahead in math.
Other Way to Say: Ahead / Early lead
52. Know the game
Meaning: Understand what to do
Sample Sentences: He knows the game in soccer. / I know the game when it comes to board games.
Other Way to Say: Understand the rules / Know what’s going on
53. In pole position
Meaning: In the best spot to win
Sample Sentences: She’s in pole position for the race. / Our team is in pole position.
Other Way to Say: Best spot / In front
54. Have a leg to stand on
Meaning: Have good reason or proof
Sample Sentences: He had a leg to stand on with his facts. / I didn’t have a leg to stand on, so I stayed quiet.
Other Way to Say: Good reason / Proof
55. Break new ground
Meaning: Do something new and special
Sample Sentences: Her invention broke new ground. / We broke new ground with our class project.
Other Way to Say: Did something new / Tried something first
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Advantage
1. When someone has “the upper hand,” they:
A. Have a disadvantage
B. Have an advantage
C. Are very confused
2. If Jake “got a head start,” he:
A. Started later
B. Started at the same time
C. Started earlier
3. If Emma “holds all the cards,” she:
A. Knows a magic trick
B. Is in full control
C. Lost something important
4. “Pulling strings” means someone is:
A. Playing a guitar
B. Using their connections
C. Getting tangled up
5. “Home-field advantage” happens because:
A. You’re at a friend’s house
B. You’re at a familiar place
C. You’re playing far from home
6. Someone who is “one step ahead” is:
A. Slightly behind
B. Prepared earlier
C. Very slow
7. To “have an ace up your sleeve” means to:
A. Keep a secret advantage
B. Play a card game
C. Wear a long-sleeve shirt
8. If Mia is “ahead of the curve,” she:
A. Does things late
B. Falls behind quickly
C. Learns or does things early
9. If you “go the extra mile,” you:
A. Walk longer than needed
B. Put in extra effort
C. Get lost easily
10. A “win-win situation” means:
A. Everyone benefits
B. Someone must lose
C. No one wins
11. “Stealing a march” on someone means:
A. Taking their belongings
B. Secretly gaining an advantage
C. Walking slowly
12. To be “on easy street” means you:
A. Have a comfortable advantage
B. Live on a busy road
C. Are facing many challenges
Answers key
- B. Have an advantage
- C. Started earlier
- B. Is in full control
- B. Using their connections
- B. You’re at a familiar place
- B. Prepared earlier
- A. Keep a secret advantage
- C. Learns or does things early
- B. Put in extra effort
- A. Everyone benefits
- B. Secretly gaining an advantage
- A. Have a comfortable advantage
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
Conclusion
Learning idioms about having an advantage can help you understand everyday talk better. These idioms show how people explain situations where they are prepared, in control, or doing better than others. Knowing these sayings helps you speak clearly and listen carefully to friends and teachers. Keep practicing them, and soon you’ll use these idioms naturally, helping you stay one step ahead in conversations at school and home.
