gain an edge

Meaning

This expression means to get a competitive advantage over others. It is commonly used in business and professional contexts to describe finding a unique strategy, technology, or skill that makes you more successful than your competitors.

Examples

• We need to invest in AI technology to gain an edge over our competitors.

  We need to invest in AI technology to gain an edge over our competitors.

• Learning a second language can help you gain an edge in the job market.

  Learning a second language can help you gain an edge in the job market.

• The company hopes the new pricing strategy will help them gain an edge.

  The company hopes the new pricing strategy will help them gain an edge.

• To gain an edge, we analyzed our competitors' weaknesses very closely.

  To gain an edge, we analyzed our competitors' weaknesses very closely.

• Getting that certification will definitely help you gain an edge during interviews.

  Getting that certification will definitely help you gain an edge during interviews.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to gain a border over our competitors.

  ✓ We need to gain an edge over our competitors.

  The word 'edge' here is an idiom meaning advantage, not a physical border or boundary. Avoid translating literally from languages where 'edge' only means the margin of a physical object.

• ✗ She gained an edge of the other candidates.

  ✓ She gained an edge over the other candidates.

  The correct preposition to use after 'gain an edge' when comparing to competitors is 'over' or 'on', not 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• By upgrading our software, we hope to ___ over the competition.

  💡 get a competitive advantage

  Show answer

  gain an edge

• You need to find a way to ___ in this crowded job market.

  💡 stand out and get an advantage

  Show answer

  gain an edge