got the drop on

Verb

get the drop on (third-person singular simple present gets the drop on, present participle getting the drop on, simple past got the drop on, past participle (UK) got the drop on or (US) gotten the drop on)

1. (informal, transitive) To point one's firearm at another person, thereby gaining dominance in a situation.
   • He got the drop on them and proceeded to shoot and kill them before they could fire a shot or respond.
2. (broadly, informal, transitive) 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:

   beat to the punch, get the jump on