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 Iran still has the upper hand in many ways – in part because of its unconventional warfare methods, including cheap drones and sea mines, and in part because of its geography.
—
Annette Choi, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
All too often this season, the Clippers have allowed opponents to get the upper hand and erase a double-digit lead.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Buyers are suddenly holding the upper hand, with more than 600,000 more sellers than buyers in the market, according to Redfin.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Remember who has the upper hand.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Annette Choi, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
All too often this season, the Clippers have allowed opponents to get the upper hand and erase a double-digit lead.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Buyers are suddenly holding the upper hand, with more than 600,000 more sellers than buyers in the market, according to Redfin.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Remember who has the upper hand.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 2026.
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