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
Countries run by controlling autocrats go to great lengths to clamp down on the opposition and maintain the upper hand.
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
That could gradually change the homebuying scene in Cincinnati, which is now considered a sellers' market in which sellers have the upper hand in negotiations and often get more than their asking price.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
For the first time in years, buyers finally seem to be gaining the upper hand over sellers in the U.S. housing market, as listings surge all across the country.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Myung-gi and Gi-hun fight, and Gi-hun gets the upper hand when Myung-gi loses his pole.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
That could gradually change the homebuying scene in Cincinnati, which is now considered a sellers' market in which sellers have the upper hand in negotiations and often get more than their asking price.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
For the first time in years, buyers finally seem to be gaining the upper hand over sellers in the U.S. housing market, as listings surge all across the country.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Myung-gi and Gi-hun fight, and Gi-hun gets the upper hand when Myung-gi loses his pole.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 28 June 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 19 Jul. 2025.
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