have the upper hand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As soon as they think they have the upper hand, they’ll tell us to go away.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

For the first few months Grenell seemed to have the upper hand: There were prisoner exchanges, deportation flights, Chevron’s license was renewed.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2026

Or maybe it’s not kindness at all but, rather, a way to reassure herself that she will always have the upper hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025

“With sentiment recovering and investors increasingly emboldened by the success of the buy-the-dip approach, bulls clearly have the upper hand into year end,” he wrote.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025

Whatever they faced, he’d have the upper hand as long as they were at sea.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan