The Britannica Dictionary
mobile search
Home
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
×
Britannica Homepage
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
The Britannica Dictionary
upper hand
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
upper hand
(noun)
upper hand
noun
upper hand
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of UPPER HAND
the upper hand
:
the position of having power or being in control in a particular situation
He always has to have
the upper hand
.
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
—
sometimes used figuratively
The infection was gaining
the upper hand
[=was becoming worse] and the patient's condition was deteriorating.
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
ASK THE EDITOR
What are the plural forms of
check-in
,
passerby
, and
spoonful
?
See the answer »
QUIZZES
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your word power
Take the Quiz »
Name That Thing
Take our visual quiz
Test Your Knowledge »
WORD OF THE DAY
enamored
:
in a state in which you love, admire, or are very interested in something or someone
Learn More »