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
In his view, the United States holds the upper hand, because China is reliant on exports to America.
—
Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
At 5-foot-2, Perez is quick, explosive to the ball and uses her speed to gain the upper hand.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Trump, who spoke with Putin on the phone on March 18, has touted his relationship with the Russian leader, raising concerns that Moscow would emerge with the upper hand in any peace deal with Kyiv.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
That included Kristian Campbell, who appears to have gained the upper hand in the battle for the everyday second base role.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
At 5-foot-2, Perez is quick, explosive to the ball and uses her speed to gain the upper hand.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Trump, who spoke with Putin on the phone on March 18, has touted his relationship with the Russian leader, raising concerns that Moscow would emerge with the upper hand in any peace deal with Kyiv.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
That included Kristian Campbell, who appears to have gained the upper hand in the battle for the everyday second base role.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 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 29 Apr. 2025.
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