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 Blackstone not only won the support of HSF’s board of directors with its latest $1.30-per-share bid, the investment giant always had the upper hand due to an option to match or outbid any HSF takeover offer.
—
Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard, 16 May 2024
Many of the attendees struck a tone of defiance that has characterized the recent period of war, in which Russia seems to have the upper hand due in part to the slow delivery of Western military aid to Ukraine.
—Anatoly Kurmanaev Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 9 May 2024
However, Lamar seems to have gained the upper hand and final word with his especially scorching lyrics about Drake allegedly hiding a secret daughter from the public eye.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 May 2024
Gangs hold the upper hand in many parts of Port-au-Prince, controlling entire neighborhoods.
—Andre Paultre, New York Times, 3 May 2024
Aided by Russia and the UAE, the RSF also seems to be gaining the upper hand in the war.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
For decades, agribusiness has had the upper hand in this conflict.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Although Western analysts have suggested in recent assessments that Russia may be gaining the upper hand over Ukraine, that trend can be reversed.
—Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2023, Ukraine gained the upper hand in the drone war by deploying the compact racing drones known as FPVs, for First Person Views, in large quantities.
—Yurii Shyvala, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard, 16 May 2024
Many of the attendees struck a tone of defiance that has characterized the recent period of war, in which Russia seems to have the upper hand due in part to the slow delivery of Western military aid to Ukraine.
—Anatoly Kurmanaev Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 9 May 2024
However, Lamar seems to have gained the upper hand and final word with his especially scorching lyrics about Drake allegedly hiding a secret daughter from the public eye.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 May 2024
Gangs hold the upper hand in many parts of Port-au-Prince, controlling entire neighborhoods.
—Andre Paultre, New York Times, 3 May 2024
Aided by Russia and the UAE, the RSF also seems to be gaining the upper hand in the war.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
For decades, agribusiness has had the upper hand in this conflict.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Although Western analysts have suggested in recent assessments that Russia may be gaining the upper hand over Ukraine, that trend can be reversed.
—Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2023, Ukraine gained the upper hand in the drone war by deploying the compact racing drones known as FPVs, for First Person Views, in large quantities.
—Yurii Shyvala, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the upper hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share