TO HAVE THE WHIP-HAND (or WHIP-HANDLE), verb. phr. (colloquial).—To have an advantage, to be in a position to command, to have the best of a matter.

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  1692.  DRYDEN, Juvenal, Dedication. The archangel … HAS THE WHIP HAND OF HER.

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  1697.  VANBRUGH, Æsop, v. 1. Lear. Now, what say you, Mr. Flamefire? I shall HAVE THE WHIP-HAND of you presently.

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  1887.  The Field, 24 Dec. A scheme to get the WHIP-HAND over them.

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  1889.  The Century Magazine, xxxviii. Oct., 932. Why, what matter? They know that we shall KEEP THE WHIP-HANDLE.

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