to get one over on

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,
I guess he’s eager to prove those who sacked him were wrong (he now faces his former club), still don’t completely work out the “to get one over on” construction (= get a win over [Southampton]–?) :

“You would think Nigel Adkins [coach] would love Southampton after his sacking in January.”
Thank you.

2

Sorry, it should read, “You would think Nigel Adkins [coach] would love to get one over on Southampton after his sacking in January.”

3

“get one over (on someone)” means to trick, defeat, gain an advantage, etc. In this context it probably refers to getting a win over Southampton as you say (however, “get one over” is a general set expression, not perceived as a replacement of “a win” with “one”).

4

Thanks Dozy.
Almost a one-off when Macmillan was outdone by another dic (the OALD) on which I capitalized by picking up ‘go one better (than somebody/something)’. If I said, “You would think Nigel Adkins would love to go one better with Reading than with Southampton.”, would it imply the same just put differently?

5

It’s not really the same. “You would think Nigel Adkins would love to go one better with Reading than with Southampton” means that he would love to achieve more as manager of Reading than he did as manager of Southampton. It is not specifically about gaining advantage over Southampton or winning a match against Southampton.

By the way Eugene, sorry if I’ve asked before and forgotten, but for interest whereabouts in the world are you?

6

Yes, I can see the difference in the two meanings now (the latter probably giving deeper satisfaction to him as manager). -:wink:

You’ve not asked Dozy, it’s Kiev, Ukraine, perhaps a two-hour flight away…

7

Hmm, I think we (= England) are playing you again in the autumn, right? Hopefully we can do a bit better than last time…

8

Yes, I wouldn’t mind it surpassing the previous encounter to end in a 3-3. Come on England/Ukraine!
What is nagging me at the moment though, is: “Tottenham v Everton. Both sides missing players, got 1-1 written all over it.” “Written all over it” means the result predicted is supposedly due to the approximately equal losses in both teams?

9

1-1 is strongly predicted/expected. This prediction seems to be associated with the fact that both sides are missing players, though I don’t personally understand why that should lead to a 1-1 scoreline.