upper hands
Controlling advantages held
Upper hands is the plural of upper hand, the position of advantage or control in a situation.
The phrase comes from a method of deciding who goes first—two people alternately grip a stick hand over hand, and whoever's hand ends up on top wins.
Both companies have upper hands in different market segments.
The singular is far more common; plural use typically describes multiple parties each holding advantage in some domain.
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- leg upHelpful advantage given
- powersAbilities or authorities held
- masteryComplete skill or control
head start · pole position · leverage · command · calling the shots · winning streak · edge · control · tight grip · trump card · ace up sleeve · strength · sovereignty · seat of power · driver's seat · governance · stranglehold · authority
upper handsdisadvantages
Unfavorable conditions or factors
powerlessness · back foot · vulnerability · helplessness · underdogs
upper, hand, hands, handed, handy, handily, handful, handler, handling