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one-upmanship

One upmanship is defined as the practice of always trying to be better than or gain superiority over others.

(noun)

An example of one-upmanship is when you wait to announce your wife is pregnant until the dinner at which your brother announce he is engaged, just to take the attention off of your brother.

See one-upmanship in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Informal the practice of, or skill in, seizing an advantage or gaining superiority over others

Origin: one-up + (games)manship

See one-upmanship in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Informal

The art of outdoing or showing up a rival or competitor, as in exploits, privileges, or honors.

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