PhrasesHub

Take the upper hand

    Definitions

      • gain advantage
        To gain a position of power or control in a situation

      • assert dominance
        To assert one's authority or control over a situation or person

    Examples of Take the upper hand

    • In the final round of the chess tournament, Sarah took the upper hand against her opponent by making a strategic move that left him with few options on the board.

      In this example, "Take the upper hand" is used in the context of a competition or game, where one player gains an advantage over the other. Sarah's move put her in a more favorable position and gave her the upper hand, making it more likely that she would win the game.

    • After months of negotiations, Rachel's company was able to take the upper hand in the business deal by presenting a more attractive offer to their partner.

      In this example, "Take the upper hand" is used in the context of a negotiation, where one party has a stronger position or more influence over the outcome. Rachel's company was able to make their offer more attractive, giving them the upper hand and making it more likely that they would win the negotiation.

    • When Joe confronted his boss about the unfair distribution of resources in the department, he took the upper hand by presenting concrete evidence and persuasive arguments that supported his position.

      In this example, "Take the upper hand" is used in the context of a conflict or dispute, where one party has more authority, power, or legitimacy in the situation. Joe was able to present a strong case that gave him the upper hand, making it more likely that his boss would accept his demands.

    • During the job interview, Mark was confident and articulate, which helped him take the upper hand over the other candidates and ultimately secure the position.

      In this example, "Take the upper hand" is used in the context of a competition or selection process, where one candidate has a distinct advantage over the others. Mark's confidence and articulation gave him the upper hand, making him more appealing to the interviewers and increasing his chances of getting the job.

    • A team that consistently wins against their opponents has taken the upper hand in their league standings.

      The phrase "take the upper hand" here means that the team is in a more advantageous or favorable position than their competitors. It suggests that they have gained control or superiority over their opponents.

    • After a long negotiation, the company's CEO managed to secure a better deal for their products, taking the upper hand in the market.

      In this example, "take the upper hand" refers to gaining an advantage in a competitive market. The CEO's successful negotiation has put their company in a more favorable position than their competitors.

    • In a heated debate, Sarah's eloquent arguments and persuasive style enabled her to take the upper hand and win the other team over to her point of view.

      Here, "take the upper hand" is used to describe the situation where one person is able to gain the upper hand in a debate by making stronger arguments or presenting a more compelling case. It implies that the other person or team has been influenced or convinced by the speaker's argument.

    • Joanne's confidence and experience allowed her to take the upper hand in the project, leading her team to success.

      This example highlights the importance of confidence and experience in gaining the upper hand in a project or task. Joanne's leadership qualities have enabled her to take control and lead her team to a successful outcome. It suggests that having these qualities can give a person an edge over others in similar situations.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "take the upper hand" is used to describe gaining an advantage or asserting dominance in a situation. It can be used in various contexts, such as in sports, business, or personal relationships, to indicate that someone has gained control or authority.

    In sports, a team that takes the upper hand is in a position of advantage and is more likely to win the game. In business, a company that takes the upper hand has gained a competitive edge over its rivals. In personal relationships, an individual who takes the upper hand may be asserting their authority or control over others.

    Overall, "take the upper hand" is a versatile idiom that can be used to describe gaining an advantage or asserting dominance in different situations.

    Origin of "Take the upper hand"

    The origin of the idiom "take the upper hand" can be traced back to the 16th century. The phrase "upper hand" itself has been used since the 14th century to mean "superiority or advantage." The idiom likely originates from the imagery of a physical struggle, where having the "upper hand" means having the advantage in a fight or competition.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in a broader sense, beyond physical confrontations, to describe gaining an advantage or asserting dominance in any situation. The concept of having the upper hand is universal, and the idiom is widely recognized and used in English-speaking countries.