have the jump on (someone)

have the jump on (someone)

To have an advantage over another person; to catch someone else in a vulnerable position or situation. I think we'll have the jump on the defense if we run this play next. The police received an anonymous tip and had the jump on the would-be robbers when they entered the bank. Those thugs only beat me up because they had the jump on me—it wasn't a fair fight.

See also: have, jump, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.