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
However, the pinky finger on the lower hand and the index finger on the upper hand wrap around each other.
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Issa would have been facing a tough fight in a newly-redrawn congressional district that was designed to give Democrats the upper hand.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Even putting his recent performances aside, all that time riding the bus suggests Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio have gained the upper hand.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The government has since relied on aerial attacks to gain the upper hand in a widening conflict with Machar’s forces and other armed groups.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Issa would have been facing a tough fight in a newly-redrawn congressional district that was designed to give Democrats the upper hand.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Even putting his recent performances aside, all that time riding the bus suggests Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio have gained the upper hand.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The government has since relied on aerial attacks to gain the upper hand in a widening conflict with Machar’s forces and other armed groups.
—ABC News, 6 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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