Cryptic crossword clue
Broken candy canes in upper hand 10

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word ASCENDANCY

A
S
C
E
N
D
A
N
C
Y

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "upper hand" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case upper hand = ascendancy.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does ASCENDANCY mean?

ASCENDANCY noun
  1. The process or period of one's ascent
  2. Supremacy; dominant control; the quality of being in the ascendant
  3. A class of Protestant landowners and professionals that dominated political and social life in Ireland up to the early 20th century

Latest crossword clues with full explanations