upper hand

upper hand

noun

Definition of UPPER HAND

: mastery, advantage, control <was determined not to let the opposition get the upper hand>

Examples of UPPER HAND

1. <finally gained the upper hand in the argument>

First Known Use of UPPER HAND

15th century

Related to UPPER HAND

Synonyms

better, bulge, catbird seat, drop, edge, high ground, inside track, jump, pull, stead, advantage, vantage, whip hand

Antonyms

disadvantage, drawback, handicap, liability, minus, penalty, strike

Related Words

allowance, head start, lead, leg up, margin, odds, start; ascendancy (also ascendency), command, dominance, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, transcendency; precedence, preference, prerogative, privilege, seniority; break, foothold, opportunity; benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, manna, windfall

Near Antonyms

detriment, stranglehold; disparity, imbalance, inequality, unevenness; disability, failing, impairment, shortcoming; bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel; lurch, setback