phrasal verb · formal
get the upper hand
UK/ɡet ðə ˈʌpə hɑːnd/US/ɡet ðə ˈʌpər hænd/UP·per
to gain control or an advantage over someone or something
Examples
“After months of negotiation the company finally got the upper hand.”
“If emotions get the upper hand, people may make irrational choices.”
“Technological advances allowed the startup to get the upper hand in the market.”
Band 8 sentence
“By diversifying its product range, the firm managed to get the upper hand over its competitors.”
Collocations
- get the upper hand in negotiations
- let emotions get the upper hand
Word family
Common mistakes
get the up hand→get the upper hand
have the upper handed→have the upper hand / get the upper hand
Say it for a higher band
5be ahead→6gain an advantage→7+get the upper hand
Synonyms
gain the advantage
prevail
Easily confused
have the upper hand
“Once the evidence was presented, the defence had the upper hand.”
Related words
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