American Idioms and Expressions

Upper Hand Idiom

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

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Upper Hand
What does Upper Hand mean?
Control of a situation.If you are wondering who has the upper hand in your relationship, the next time you get up to fetch drinks, take a look on the sofa. There you will find that person.
This phrase originated with the advent of sandlot baseball. In order to determine which team would bat first, one player would grasp the baseball bat at the lower end. A player from the opposing team would then place his hand directly above the first player's hand. They would alternate hands up the bat until the end was reached and one of the players had the "upper hand".
upper hand
What does upper hand mean?
controlling power, advantageThe union members have the upper hand in their negotiations with the company.
upper hand
What does upper hand mean?
a controlling power, an advantage The union members have the upper hand in their negotiations with the company.

Some Random Idioms
sage advice
What does "sage advice" mean?
very good and wise adviceI waited for my friend to ask me for my sage advice regarding his problems.
fruits of one's labor
What does "fruits of one's labor" mean?
the results of one's workMy father is retired now and he is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor.
call a spade a spade
What does "call a spade a spade" mean?
call a person or thing a name that is true, speak in plain language call a person or thing a name that is true, speak in plain languageI decided to call a spade a spade and tell our supervisor what was wrong with our workplace.
have a case (against someone)
What does "have a case (against someone)" mean?
have much evidence that can be used against someoneThe police have a very good case against the man who is selling the stolen cars.
have (someone's) blood on one's hands
What does "have (someone's) blood on one's hands" mean?
to be responsible for someone's deathThe driver has the bicycle rider's blood on his hands.
get (something) through (someone's) thick skull
What does "get (something) through (someone's) thick skull" mean?
to manage to get someone to understand somethingI could not get it through my friend's thick skull that I would not go on a holiday with him.
leave (someone) holding the bag
What does "leave (someone) holding the bag" mean?
leave someone to take the blame for somethingMy friend left me holding the bag when he ran away from the accident.
change one`s mind
What does "change one`s mind" mean?
to change one`s decision My friend changed his mind and will not go to the movie tonight.

a hard-and-fast rule
What does "a hard-and-fast rule" mean?
a rule that cannot be altered to fit special casesThere is no hard-and-fast rule that says you can`t use a cellular phone in the train.
Top notch
What does "Top notch" mean?
If something is top notch, it's excellent, of the highest quality or standard.
have a brainstorm
What does "have a brainstorm" mean?
to suddenly have a very good ideaI had a brainstorm last night and I now have some very good ideas for next year's party.

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