Possible Clues:

• Gain an advantage over
• Unexpectedly gain an advantage over
• Gain an advantage over some charlatan criminal
• Slyly gain an advantage over
• Gain an advantage over rotten marshal at once
• Get the better of naughty rascal at home, leading to end of fun
• Slyly gain an advantage over (someone)
• Gain advantage over by underhand means
• Get ahead of (someone) by taking early action
• Gain an advantage over various other almanacs