the upper hand
noun
: the position of having power or being in control in a particular situation
He always has to have the upper hand.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe infection was gaining the upper hand and the patient's condition was deteriorating.
Examples of the upper hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When Noem and Scott stepped before the cameras on Saturday, Noem appeared to have the upper hand.
—
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
So, brands — the retailer and the brands have always struggled as to who gets the upper hand in moving a product to the consumers.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
The combatants rolled into the saloon with neither getting the upper hand until Fossett managed to pull his pistol and put four shots into the unarmed Carver.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
So, brands — the retailer and the brands have always struggled as to who gets the upper hand in moving a product to the consumers.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
The combatants rolled into the saloon with neither getting the upper hand until Fossett managed to pull his pistol and put four shots into the unarmed Carver.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
Cite this Entry
“The upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20upper%20hand. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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