PhrasesHub

Upper hand

    Definitions

      • advantage
        Refers to having control or power in a situation, often in a competitive or confrontational context

      • superiority
        Indicates having a higher status or authority in a particular situation or relationship

    Examples of Upper hand

    • Sarah aced the job interview yesterday, and now she has the upper hand in salary negotiations.

      In this idiomatic usage, 'upper hand' implies that Sarah has gained a favorable position over the employer during the salary negotiations, due to her impressive performance in the job interview.

    • In the game of tennis, the player who consistently wins key points has the upper hand.

      Here, 'upper hand' refers to a player's dominant position in the game, as they have an advantage over their opponent by winning crucial points.

    • The company's CEO, who has been in the industry for over two decades, has the upper hand in the ongoing merger negotiations with the competition.

      In this context, 'upper hand' signifies that the CEO has the advantage due to their extensive experience and expertise in the particular business domain, making it easier for them to negotiate more favorable terms for the merger.

    • During a debate, the speaker who presents clear and compelling arguments has the upper hand in convincing the audience.

      This usage of 'upper hand' suggests that the speaker with convincing arguments has gained an edge over their opponents in swaying the audience's opinion in their favor.

    • Sally's team has the upper hand in the championship, having won the previous three matches.

      In this example, the idiom "upper hand" is used to describe the advantage or superiority that Sally's team has over their opponents in the championship. It suggests that Sally's team is more likely to win the championship as they have been victorious in their last three matches.

    • During the negotiation, our company gained the upper hand by presenting a more compelling offer to the client.

      Here, the idiom "upper hand" is used to indicate that our company has gained an advantage over the client in the negotiation process. The use of a more convincing offer has given our company a favorable position in the negotiation and increased the likelihood of a successful outcome.

    • Whenever Jack and Sarah argue, Sarah always seems to have the upper hand, as she always manages to make Jack apologize in the end.

      This example illustrates how the idiom "upper hand" can refer to a person's ability to prevail in a conflict or argument. In this case, Sarah has been able to consistently end disputes with Jack by making him admit fault, demonstrating her dominance in the situation.

    • The detective interviewed all the suspects, but the upper hand remained with the real culprit, who had carefully planned and executed the crime.

      Here, the idiom "upper hand" is used to describe the position of the criminal in the investigation, implying that they have retained their advantage over the detective. The use of the idiom highlights the criminal's superiority in their actions, as they have been able to evade capture and continue committing crimes.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "upper hand" is used to describe a situation where someone has an advantage or holds control over others. It can refer to having the upper hand in a competition or conflict, or to having a superior status or authority in a relationship. This idiom is often used to convey the idea of having the advantage or being in a position of strength.

    Origin of "Upper hand"

    The origin of the idiom "upper hand" can be traced back to its literal meaning, which refers to the physical advantage of having the higher hand in a physical struggle or fight. This literal meaning has been metaphorically extended to describe any situation where someone has an advantage or control over others. The idiom has been in use for centuries and is a common phrase in English language. It is likely that the concept of having the upper hand has been a part of human communication and interaction for a long time, and the idiom reflects this universal experience.