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
In a 50/50 election cycle, Republicans still have the upper hand.
—
Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
For now, Compton believes Newton has the upper hand.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Trials often come down to liability and credibility, and celebrities have the upper hand, because jurors love them.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Some buyers have the upper hand in Florida, with rising inventory and developers offering sales incentives.
—Sarah Moreno
july 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
For now, Compton believes Newton has the upper hand.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Trials often come down to liability and credibility, and celebrities have the upper hand, because jurors love them.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Some buyers have the upper hand in Florida, with rising inventory and developers offering sales incentives.
—Sarah Moreno
july 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
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 25 Jul. 2025.
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