She intended to maintain the uppermost hand in this relationship.
There has been a long, ongoing battle between alternative medical practice and orthodox medicine - with the establishment maintaining the upper hand.
Despite numerous charges and countercharges, the French cavalry maintained the upper hand.
He knew he had to maintain the upper hand with Humphries.
Fighting continued for a year or so, with Ngāi Tahu maintaining the upper hand.
But trial lawyers have maintained the upper hand by keeping it relatively easy to get to court in most states.
Intimidation, willfulness and power plays are his methods for maintaining the upper hand.
Oswald, an older man, offers her a position as his assistant, and shortly thereafter Maria becomes his mistress to "maintain the upper hand".
Maintain the upper hand in all situations.
Either way, one fighter usually maintains the upper hand throughout the bout, beating and pounding his or her opponent mercilessly.