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 figuratively

The 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

Exactly who has the upper hand in the rotation is apparently yet to be determined. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025

Those business leaders that implement these practical action items in response will have the upper hand in the fight to restore order and maintain the company’s trajectory. —Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Relying on strong habits and security tools gives you the upper hand. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

In the playoffs, the matchup that mattered most, Ryan got the upper hand, seizing a 31-21 win over Aledo, the defending Class 5A Division I state champion. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025

Rhymes for the upper hand

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand