Origin of Phrases - U
Upper hand
Meaning: Control of a situation or has the final say over a situation
Example: 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. We often say that someone in control has “the upper hand”.
Origin: 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. The players take turns gripping the bat one fist over the other until there was no more room The last one to fully grip the bat handle has first choice, and he has the upper hand. Many variations of this have been developed by kids on the sandlot but in all the person to grip the bat handle wins.