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
But as soon as Teddy lowers his weapon, the situation quickly spirals out of control and Roper is able to gain the upper hand.
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Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Michigan has dominated the football rivalry of late, while the Spartans have had the upper hand in basketball.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Tanks were created to cause destruction during war and gain the upper hand in trench warfare.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2026
When Noem and Scott stepped before the cameras on Saturday, Noem appeared to have the upper hand.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Michigan has dominated the football rivalry of late, while the Spartans have had the upper hand in basketball.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Tanks were created to cause destruction during war and gain the upper hand in trench warfare.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2026
When Noem and Scott stepped before the cameras on Saturday, Noem appeared to have the upper hand.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 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 12 Feb. 2026.
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