Upper Hand, To Have The ✋
Upper hand, to have the - To be in a dominating or controlling position. This term has been entrenched in the language since the fifteenth century. The phrase originates from an ancient gambling game where players placed their hands alternatively on a stick starting from the bottom; the player who managed to place their hand at the top, having no room left for another hand, emerged victorious.
Historical Context: The Anglican Book of Common Prayer highlights another early usage in a spiritual setting: “Up, Lord, and let not man have the upper hand” (from Miles Coverdale’s translation of Psalm 9:19).
Synonyms:
- To have the edge
- To hold the whip hand
- To be in the driver’s seat
- To call the shots
Antonyms:
- In the backseat
- To be at a disadvantage
- To be under someone’s thumb
Use it in a Sentence: ✍️
- “Jessica finally had the upper hand in negotiations, turning the tables in her favor.”
- “After months of struggling with his new project, Oscar felt he finally had the upper hand.”
Humor-filled Quote: 🤣
- “I always have the upper hand during board games because I hide my extra dice in my sleeves. What? All’s fair in love and Monopoly!”
Proverb:
- “He who laughs last, laughs loudest,” akin to the notion that achieving the upper hand ultimately assures the final triumph.
Similar Phrases:
- “Top dog”
- “On top of the world”
- “Holding all the cards”
Literature: 📚
- “The Evolution of the Upper Hand” by Peter Smarticus (fictional)
- “Negotiation Genius: How to Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Brilliant Results at the Bargaining Table and Beyond” by Deepak Malhotra and Max Bazerman
Movies: 🎬
- “The Art of the Deal: Movies exploring clever negotiations, like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’”
Songs: 🎵
- “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons
Inspirational Thought-provoking Farewell: 🌟 “Remember, having the upper hand doesn’t mean breaking others down; it’s about lifting yourself up gracefully, just like winning the last move in a wise game.”
