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
Later, Nina, unaware that Millie has gained the upper hand, shows up at the house to help her escape.
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Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
While much of the business world tries to figure out where AI can be best deployed, the team at D^3 is researching where the technology is most effective in increasing productivity and performance — and where humans still have the upper hand.
—Rachel Curry, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Leroy gets the upper hand on the soldiers and is able to steal a gun.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
The shoveling tactic featured in this video gives you the upper hand when the plow comes back for its final pass.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
While much of the business world tries to figure out where AI can be best deployed, the team at D^3 is researching where the technology is most effective in increasing productivity and performance — and where humans still have the upper hand.
—Rachel Curry, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Leroy gets the upper hand on the soldiers and is able to steal a gun.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
The shoveling tactic featured in this video gives you the upper hand when the plow comes back for its final pass.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 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 23 Dec. 2025.
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