upper hand

USAGE SUMMARY

'upper hand' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an advantage someone has over someone else. For example: After winning the first game, Jack took the upper hand in the match.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nature has the upper hand.

The New Yorker

Investors have the upper hand.

The New York Times

"They have the upper hand.

The New York Times

"O.K. the upper hand".

The New Yorker

The drugs get the upper hand.

The New York Times

The Taliban regained the upper hand.

The New Yorker

But Radwanska soon gained the upper hand.

The New York Times

Yet we still have the upper hand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Russia has long had the upper hand.

The Economist

The latter currently have the upper hand.

The Economist

But the protectionists have the upper hand.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upper hand" to clearly indicate that one party has a significant advantage over another in a competitive situation.

Common error

Avoid using "upper hand" when the advantage is minor or insignificant. This phrase implies a substantial degree of control or dominance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upper hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a situation where one party holds a significant advantage over another. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upper hand" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation where one party possesses a significant advantage or control. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "advantage" or "edge" exist, "upper hand" specifically implies a notable degree of dominance. When using this phrase, ensure that the advantage being described is substantial and relevant to the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantage

This alternative is a more general term that indicates a beneficial position or circumstance.

edge

This alternative suggests a slight advantage that can lead to success.

control

This alternative emphasizes the power to direct or influence a situation.

ascendancy

This alternative implies a dominant position or influence.

driver's seat

This alternative indicates being in charge or having the most influence.

dominant position

This alternative highlights the state of being more powerful or influential.

strong position

This alternative suggests a secure and advantageous standing.

winning position

This alternative indicates being in a state that favors victory.

lead

This alternative means being in front or ahead, suggesting an advantage.

leverage

This alternative refers to the ability to influence a situation to one's benefit.

FAQs

How to use "upper hand" in a sentence?

You can use "upper hand" to describe a situation where one party has a significant advantage over another. For example, "After the scandal, the opposition party gained the "upper hand" in the polls."

What can I say instead of "upper hand"?

You can use alternatives like "advantage", "edge", or "control" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have the upper hand" or "has the upper hand"?

Both "have the upper hand" and "has the upper hand" are grammatically correct, depending on the subject. Use "have" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have the "upper hand"") and "has" with singular subjects (e.g., "She has the "upper hand"").

What's the difference between "upper hand" and "high ground"?

"Upper hand" implies a strategic advantage or control in a situation, while "high ground" suggests a moral or ethical superiority. While both can be advantageous, they operate in different domains.