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 this new lawsuit may give developers the upper hand if the court rules in Condra’s favor.
—
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2025
This is a situation where the Bulls hold the upper hand.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
In a landscape where payers constantly try to gain the upper hand, static software can lead directly to lost revenue.
—Chandler Barron, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Zucker’s hat trick and 4-point night helped the Sabres maintain the upper hand for the bulk of Thursday’s game.
—Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the upper hand 
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Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2025
This is a situation where the Bulls hold the upper hand.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
In a landscape where payers constantly try to gain the upper hand, static software can lead directly to lost revenue.
—Chandler Barron, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Zucker’s hat trick and 4-point night helped the Sabres maintain the upper hand for the bulk of Thursday’s game.
—Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the upper hand
Dictionary Entries Near 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 6 Feb. 2025.
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