Sometimes people use special phrases to say things in a fun or smart way. These are called idioms. They don’t always mean what the words say, but they help us understand things better. For example, instead of saying “She used a good chance,” someone might say, “She got a leg up.” That means the same thing, just in a more interesting way.
This article will teach you idioms that talk about getting ahead or having an advantage. You might hear these at school, at home, or even on TV. They help people describe times when someone has a little extra help or gets a better chance. Let’s take a look and see how these idioms can be used in real life.
Idioms for Advantage
1. Get a leg up
Meaning: To get a good start or help
Within a Sentence: She got a leg up on the test by studying early. / He got a leg up by joining the reading club.
In Other Words: Got ahead early / Got extra help
2. Ahead of the game
Meaning: To be doing well before others
Within a Sentence: He finished his homework early and felt ahead of the game. / I’m ahead of the game because I packed last night.
In Other Words: Doing well / Ready before others
3. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control
Within a Sentence: She was in the driver’s seat on the group project. / I felt in the driver’s seat during the game.
In Other Words: In charge / Leading
4. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start before the right time
Within a Sentence: He jumped the gun and answered before hearing the question. / She jumped the gun by running too soon in the race.
In Other Words: Started too early / Went ahead
5. On the ball
Meaning: Being alert and doing things well
Within a Sentence: He’s really on the ball with his chores. / She was on the ball during the spelling bee.
In Other Words: Quick and smart / Ready and careful
6. Play your cards right
Meaning: To make good choices
Within a Sentence: If you play your cards right, you’ll win the contest. / She played her cards right and got a prize.
In Other Words: Make smart moves / Do the right thing
7. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something fast and with energy
Within a Sentence: She hit the ground running at her new school. / He hit the ground running on his science project.
In Other Words: Start strong / Begin quickly
8. On your toes
Meaning: Being ready and alert
Within a Sentence: The coach told us to stay on our toes. / I stayed on my toes during the math quiz.
In Other Words: Ready / Watching carefully
9. In your favor
Meaning: Something is helping you
Within a Sentence: The wind was in our favor at the kite contest. / The rules were in her favor during the game.
In Other Words: Helping you / Good for you
10. One step ahead
Meaning: To be quicker or smarter than others
Within a Sentence: She’s always one step ahead with her reading. / I stayed one step ahead by asking questions.
In Other Words: Ahead / Smarter
11. Beat them to the punch
Meaning: Do something before someone else
Within a Sentence: He beat me to the punch and picked the last cookie. / She beat them to the punch by turning in her project first.
In Other Words: Did it first / Was quicker
12. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To be in a better position
Within a Sentence: She had the upper hand in the game. / I had the upper hand because I knew the answers.
In Other Words: Better spot / In control
13. Edge out
Meaning: Win by a little
Within a Sentence: He edged out the other team by one point. / She edged out her friend in the race.
In Other Words: Barely won / Won just ahead
14. Come out on top
Meaning: To win
Within a Sentence: He came out on top in the art contest. / We came out on top after a hard game.
In Other Words: Won / Finished first
15. Tip the scales
Meaning: To change things in your favor
Within a Sentence: His good speech tipped the scales, and he got picked. / Her last answer tipped the scales in her favor.
In Other Words: Helped win / Gave advantage
16. Call the shots
Meaning: To make the decisions
Within a Sentence: She called the shots during the class project. / He likes to call the shots at recess.
In Other Words: Be in charge / Decide things
17. In good standing
Meaning: To be trusted or liked
Within a Sentence: He’s in good standing with his teacher. / She stayed in good standing by following the rules.
In Other Words: Trusted / Respected
18. Break new ground
Meaning: Do something new or better
Within a Sentence: She broke new ground with her science idea. / He broke new ground in art class.
In Other Words: Tried something new / Did great
19. On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling proud or successful
Within a Sentence: I felt on top of the world after winning. / She felt on top of the world with her test score.
In Other Words: Very happy / Proud
20. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than expected
Within a Sentence: He went the extra mile and cleaned the room too. / She went the extra mile on her project.
In Other Words: Did more / Worked harder
21. Knock it out of the park
Meaning: Do something really well
Within a Sentence: He knocked it out of the park on his essay. / She knocked it out of the park during her dance.
In Other Words: Did great / Was awesome
22. Rise to the occasion
Meaning: Do well under pressure
Within a Sentence: She rose to the occasion during the spelling test. / He rose to the occasion when his team needed him.
In Other Words: Did well / Stepped up
23. Have something up your sleeve
Meaning: Have a secret plan or idea
Within a Sentence: I had a joke up my sleeve for the talent show. / She always has something up her sleeve for games.
In Other Words: Secret plan / Clever trick
24. Come through
Meaning: Help or succeed when needed
Within a Sentence: He came through with the snacks. / She came through by bringing the extra supplies.
In Other Words: Helped out / Did what was needed
25. Rule the roost
Meaning: To be the boss
Within a Sentence: She rules the roost at the lunch table. / He likes to rule the roost during games.
In Other Words: In charge / Bossy
26. Make a mark
Meaning: Do something important or remembered
Within a Sentence: He made a mark with his painting. / She made a mark in the school play.
In Other Words: Got noticed / Did well
27. Pull ahead
Meaning: Move into the lead
Within a Sentence: She pulled ahead during the race. / He pulled ahead by finishing the puzzle fast.
In Other Words: Took the lead / Got ahead
28. Take the lead
Meaning: Be in front or in charge
Within a Sentence: She took the lead in the reading contest. / He took the lead on the team.
In Other Words: In front / First place
29. Gain ground
Meaning: Make progress
Within a Sentence: We gained ground in the game. / She gained ground by reading each night.
In Other Words: Got closer / Improved
30. Come a long way
Meaning: Show a lot of improvement
Within a Sentence: He came a long way in writing. / She came a long way in math this year.
In Other Words: Got better / Improved a lot
31. Make headway
Meaning: To move forward or make progress
Within a Sentence: We made headway on our science project. / She made headway with her reading skills.
In Other Words: Got better / Moved forward
32. Climb the ladder
Meaning: To get better positions or success
Within a Sentence: He climbed the ladder in the student council. / She’s climbing the ladder in music class.
In Other Words: Moving up / Doing well
33. Have a leg to stand on
Meaning: To have a good reason or proof
Within a Sentence: He had a leg to stand on when he showed his notes. / She had a leg to stand on with her strong answer.
In Other Words: Had support / Was right
34. Be in the spotlight
Meaning: To get attention for doing something good
Within a Sentence: She was in the spotlight after her singing show. / He was in the spotlight at the spelling bee.
In Other Words: Got noticed / Was the center
35. Get off on the right foot
Meaning: Start well
Within a Sentence: We got off on the right foot by planning early. / He got off on the right foot by greeting the teacher.
In Other Words: Started well / Good beginning
36. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Try your hardest
Within a Sentence: I put my best foot forward in the art contest. / She put her best foot forward during soccer tryouts.
In Other Words: Tried hard / Did your best
37. Come into play
Meaning: To start to be helpful or important
Within a Sentence: Her quick thinking came into play during the quiz. / His drawing skills came into play for the poster.
In Other Words: Helped / Became useful
38. Lead the pack
Meaning: Be better or ahead of the group
Within a Sentence: She led the pack in the reading challenge. / He led the pack during the race.
In Other Words: First / Leading
39. Get the green light
Meaning: To get permission to do something
Within a Sentence: We got the green light to start our class trip. / She got the green light to join the club.
In Other Words: Got approval / Said yes
40. Win by a nose
Meaning: Win by just a little
Within a Sentence: He won by a nose in the race. / She won by a nose in musical chairs.
In Other Words: Barely won / Close win
41. Pull some strings
Meaning: Use connections to help
Within a Sentence: His dad pulled some strings to get tickets. / She pulled some strings to get help for the team.
In Other Words: Used contacts / Got help
42. Smooth sailing
Meaning: Easy and without problems
Within a Sentence: It was smooth sailing after we learned the rules. / The test was smooth sailing with all that practice.
In Other Words: Easy / Went well
43. Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: Do something at the best time
Within a Sentence: He struck while the iron was hot and signed up fast. / She struck while the iron was hot and asked the question.
In Other Words: Acted fast / Took the chance
44. Win hands down
Meaning: To win easily
Within a Sentence: She won hands down in the contest. / He won hands down with his funny story.
In Other Words: Won clearly / No doubt
45. Carry the day
Meaning: To succeed
Within a Sentence: Her good idea carried the day. / Their team carried the day with teamwork.
In Other Words: Won / Did best
46. Have it made
Meaning: To be in a great spot
Within a Sentence: He had it made after getting chosen. / She had it made when she got the lead role.
In Other Words: All set / In a good place
47. Score points
Meaning: To do something good or smart
Within a Sentence: He scored points by helping the teacher. / She scored points by cheering up her friend.
In Other Words: Got praise / Did well
48. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Get something very good
Within a Sentence: I hit the jackpot with my birthday gift. / She hit the jackpot by finding the missing book.
In Other Words: Got lucky / Big win
49. Make the cut
Meaning: To be chosen
Within a Sentence: He made the cut for the basketball team. / She made the cut in choir tryouts.
In Other Words: Got picked / Chosen
50. Come out ahead
Meaning: To end in a better position
Within a Sentence: He came out ahead by studying hard. / She came out ahead in the game.
In Other Words: Did better / Won
51. Have it in the bag
Meaning: To be sure to win or succeed
Within a Sentence: She had it in the bag after practicing. / He had it in the bag with that great speech.
In Other Words: Almost won / Sure win
52. Blaze a trail
Meaning: Do something first
Within a Sentence: He blazed a trail by trying the new game. / She blazed a trail in coding club.
In Other Words: Did it first / Led the way
53. Take it up a notch
Meaning: To try harder or improve
Within a Sentence: He took it up a notch in practice. / She took it up a notch with her painting.
In Other Words: Did better / Worked more
54. Set the bar
Meaning: Show a good example
Within a Sentence: She set the bar with her neat notebook. / He set the bar in running time.
In Other Words: High example / Good start
55. Be a cut above
Meaning: To be better
Within a Sentence: His art was a cut above the rest. / Her cooking was a cut above.
In Other Words: Better / Higher quality
56. Leave others in the dust
Meaning: To go far ahead
Within a Sentence: She left others in the dust during the race. / He left others in the dust on the test.
In Other Words: Way ahead / Faster
57. Seal the deal
Meaning: To finish something successfully
Within a Sentence: His idea sealed the deal. / She sealed the deal with her last answer.
In Other Words: Finished it / Closed it
58. In the bag
Meaning: Almost sure to win
Within a Sentence: The win was in the bag after that goal. / Her win was in the bag by the last round.
In Other Words: Easy win / Already done
59. Ahead of the pack
Meaning: Better than the rest
Within a Sentence: She was ahead of the pack in spelling. / He was ahead of the pack in math.
In Other Words: Best / Leading
60. Land on your feet
Meaning: To do well after a tough time
Within a Sentence: He landed on his feet after switching schools. / She landed on her feet after moving.
In Other Words: Did okay / Got back up
Idioms for Advantage – True/False Quiz
1. If you “get a leg up,” it means you’re falling behind.
2. Being “ahead of the game” means you are doing better than others.
3. “Jumping the gun” means waiting too long to start something.
4. When someone is “on the ball,” they are sleepy and slow.
5. “Hit the ground running” means you start something with a lot of energy.
6. If something is “in your favor,” it means it might help you win.
7. “Win by a nose” means you lost by a lot.
8. To “pull ahead” means to fall behind others.
9. “Call the shots” means someone else is making the choices for you.
10. “Go the extra mile” means doing more than expected.
11. If someone “has the upper hand,” they are in a weaker spot.
12. “Take the lead” means to move in front or be first.
13. “Knock it out of the park” means doing something poorly.
14. If you “land on your feet,” you are doing okay after a hard time.
15. “Smooth sailing” means something is hard and confusing.
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms can make everyday talking more fun and smart. Instead of just saying “I’m doing well,” you might say “I’m ahead of the game.” These phrases help show when someone is doing better or has help.
Try using these idioms when you speak or write. They can help you sound clearer and interesting. When you learn how to use them, you also get better at understanding stories, shows, and even games. Keep practicing, and soon these idioms will feel easy.
