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
That’s because Venezuela held the upper hand.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Yu’s attorneys allege that her husband set her up to gain the upper hand in family court by telling Yu to put the Dano into the cup in order to kill ants.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Check out the shoveling tactic featured in this video, which will give you the upper hand when the plow comes back for its final pass.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Dec. 2025
The Crips, now allied with the Detroiters, start gaining the upper hand over the Colombians in prison and on the streets.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Yu’s attorneys allege that her husband set her up to gain the upper hand in family court by telling Yu to put the Dano into the cup in order to kill ants.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Check out the shoveling tactic featured in this video, which will give you the upper hand when the plow comes back for its final pass.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Dec. 2025
The Crips, now allied with the Detroiters, start gaining the upper hand over the Colombians in prison and on the streets.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 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 11 Jan. 2026.
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