weather gauge

American  

noun

1. Nautical. gauge19

2. the position of advantage; upper hand.

   Having bought out her competitors, she now has the weather gauge in the industry.

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Etymology

Origin of weather gauge

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

weather gauge

The Esmeraldo Weather Center in Camagüey registered winds of more than 124 miles per hour before part of the weather gauge blew off.

From New York Times ● Sep. 9, 2017

Seeing that he had to deal with a formidable opponent, Guichen acted with extreme caution, and by keeping the weather gauge afforded the British admiral no chance of bringing him to close action.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

As soon as identification was certain, Captain Wellsby hauled to windward to hold the weather gauge and Colonel Stuart called the men to quarters.

From Blackbeard: Buccaneer by Schoonover, Frank Earle

For many hours the wind blew easterly, but at three in the afternoon it shifted to the south and gave the enemy the weather gauge.

From Humphrey Bold A Story of the Times of Benbow by Strang, Herbert

So the Dutch, having the weather gauge, sailed down to engage us.

From When London Burned : a Story of Restoration Times and the Great Fire by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)