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
Some had pushed for a slightly more restrained proposal that would have given Democrats the upper hand in nine of the 11 House seats.
—
Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Among the three new transfer wideouts, Noah Jennings (Cincinnati) has the upper hand on Perry Thompson (Auburn) and Zion Steptoe (Tulsa).
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Whether Sands or the Oklahoma tribes have the upper hand in this race to build Dallas’ first casino remains to be seen.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Rahmani says today's DNA and high-tech surveillance gives law enforcement the upper hand.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Among the three new transfer wideouts, Noah Jennings (Cincinnati) has the upper hand on Perry Thompson (Auburn) and Zion Steptoe (Tulsa).
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Whether Sands or the Oklahoma tribes have the upper hand in this race to build Dallas’ first casino remains to be seen.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Rahmani says today's DNA and high-tech surveillance gives law enforcement the upper hand.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 7 Apr. 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 13 Apr. 2026.
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