get one up on (someone or something)
To attain an advantage over someone or something. I'm trying to get one up on the competition by praciticing in real-world conditions.
be/get/have one ˈup on somebody
(informal) be in a better position than somebody; have an advantage over somebody: Why do you always have to be one up on everybody else? ▶ one-ˈupmanship noun (disapproving) the skill of getting an advantage over other people