upper hand

Definition

Advantage or control.

Etymology

From Middle English over hond, from Old English ofer- + hand (superior control; superior position). Not, as supposed, from a card game or counting-out game.

Example Sentences

• "There was no refusing him, for he had got the complete upper hand of the community, and the peaceful burghers all stood in awe of him."
• "[C]uriosity began to get the upper hand, and I determined I should have one look through the cabin window."
• "There it was Razumov who had the upper hand, in a composed sense of his own superiority."