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

Trump has suggested that any attempts to pace the development of AI would give China the upper hand in developing the technology. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

John gets the upper hand and nearly takes the ring, before one of Zoe’s satellite weapons blows up half the motel, forcing Hal to use what little charge is left in the ring to protect himself and John. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

All evacuation warnings around Brentwood were lifted as crews gained the upper hand on a brush fire that ignited Wednesday afternoon along the 405 Freeway, threatening homes, a university campus and the Getty Center. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The 49ers should have the upper hand at least through the first half of the game, as the Rams' bodies will still be off. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the upper hand

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