Context:
I guess I don't get why this is even important. Mass transit in the US is not that good outside of major cities. The layout of the country would render mass transit inefficient in most parts. So what's the big deal? Do the Chinese think they have a "one-up" on us because of this? I seriously doubt they have good mass transit outside of their own high density areas.
Yes. In a game that awards points, one-up indicates that one team has a one point advantage.
0 Replies
MattDavis Selected Answer
2
Reply
Sat 23 Mar, 2013 12:48 am
@oristarA,
I agree with Roger regarding the meaning of "one-up".
Your phrasing is grammatically correct.
In the context of your paragraph, I think "Do the Chinese think they have one-upped us on this?" would sound more natural.
Just a suggestion.
0 Replies
MattDavis
1
Reply
Sat 23 Mar, 2013 12:53 am
@oristarA,
Quote:
Mass transit in the US is not that good outside of major cities.
I might also suggest replacing "good" with "great" in this sentence.
Just because it will make your point more strongly.
A native speaker would probably use "great" in this context.
0 Replies
Ceili
2
Reply
Sat 23 Mar, 2013 10:04 am
To 'one up' somebody often refers to fish stories and the like. Where one person tells a story, or makes something, or catches a fish, and the next guy one ups them by telling a better story, or making something bigger and better or catching a bigger fish.
Some people are masters of one-upmanship, or one upping everyone.
0 Replies
ehBeth
1
Reply
Sat 23 Mar, 2013 01:35 pm
@oristarA,
oristarA wrote:
Do the Chinese think they have a "one-up" on us because of this?
Do the Chinese think they have one-upped us because of this?
Do the Chinese think they have a leg up on us because of this?
(seems like the original sentence is a mash-up of two idioms)
0 Replies
ehBeth
1
Reply
Sat 23 Mar, 2013 01:37 pm
@oristarA,
also
the thread title
Quote:
Is "one-up" used proper here?
properly, not proper
not that I like properly, but it would be better than proper
Selected Answer
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace