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Tener la sartén por el mango

To have the upper hand / To be in control

Idioms & Sayings
Notes & Usage:

Literally 'to have the frying pan by the handle'. Describes the person who holds power and controls a situation.

See It in Context

En esa negociación, ellos tenían la sartén por el mango.

In that negotiation, they had the upper hand.

Desde que llegó, tiene la sartén por el mango.

Since she arrived, she's been in control.

—¿Quién decide? —Él tiene la sartén por el mango.

—Who decides? —He has the upper hand.

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