upper-hand
Edge in competition
Upper-hand is a less common spelling of upper hand, the position of advantage or control in a situation: She gained the upper-hand in negotiations.
Having the upper-hand means you're winning or dominating—whether in competition, argument, or conflict.
The hyphenated form appears occasionally but the two-word version predominates.
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- controlAuthority to direct
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
power · ascendancy · mastery · command · lead · position · stronghold · supremacy
Labored effort against resistance
- wrestlingCombat sport requiring holds
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
- pinningFastening with pointed fasteners
submission · dominance · force · strength · combat · fighting · sparring · clinch
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- termsConditions of an agreement
- concessionYielding a point
- dealAgreement or distribution
position · standoff · stalemate · compromise · impasse · deadlock · walkaway · bidding
Achieving victory
- outmaneuveringDefeating through superior tactics
- defeatingOvercoming in competition
- surpassingGoing beyond in quality
- overtakingGetting ahead of another
outpacing · rivalry · opponent · challenger · frontrunner · underdog · comeback · lead
leverage
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
superiority · power · ascendancy · mastery · command · lead · position · stronghold · supremacy · trump
struggle
Labored effort against resistance
- wrestlingCombat sport requiring holds
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
pinning · submission · dominance · force · strength · combat · fighting · sparring · clinch · takedown
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- termsConditions of an agreement
- concessionYielding a point
deal · position · standoff · stalemate · compromise · impasse · deadlock · walkaway · bidding · stakes
winning
Achieving victory
- outmaneuveringDefeating through superior tactics
- defeatingOvercoming in competition
- surpassingGoing beyond in quality
overtaking · outpacing · rivalry · opponent · challenger · frontrunner · underdog · comeback · lead · score
upper-handdisadvantage
Unfavorable circumstance or condition
losing position · short end of the stick · back foot · handicap · behind the eight ball
upper-handpowerlessness
Inability to affect outcomes
subordination · subservience · weakness · vulnerability · helplessness
upper, hand, hands, handed, handing, handy, handily, handiness, handful