do someone one better
To do more than somebody asked for or expected.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I asked for a coffee, but he did me one better and brought cake.”
“My friend offered to help me move, but she did me one better by hiring a professional truck for the day.”
“When the manager proposed a small bonus for the team, the director did her one better by offering everyone an extra week of paid vacation.”
- 01
an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
Precaution and prevention of an undesirable thing is preferable to dealing with its potential consequences.
- 02
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 03
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 04
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 05
back to square one
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
- 06
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 07
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 08
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
Last updated August 10, 2026