English

Verb

get the drop on

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To point one's firearm at another person, thereby gaining dominance over a situation.

   He got the drop on them and took three of them out before they could fire a shot.

2. (transitive, idiomatic, by extension) To obtain an advantage over another person, by acting before that person.

   We're always getting the drop on our competitors because the owner really knows the business and can act fast.

Synonyms

• (gain advantage): get the jump on, beat to the punch