The infection was gaining 'the upper hand' [=was becoming worse] and the patient's condition was deteriorating.
exercises to improve 'upper' body strength [=strength in the arms, shoulders, neck, and back]
She managed to 'keep a stiff upper lip' even as everything fell apart.
(..) And though we know he washes well he always ends up Sorta smelly. But You'll never meet a fella who's as sensitive and sweet. That's nice. So he's a bit of a fixer upper, So he's got a few flaws, His peculiar brain, Dear. His thing for the reindeer. - That outside a few of nature's laws. - This is not about me! So he's a bit of a fixer upper, But this we're certain of... You Can fix this fixer upper up with a little bit of love. Can we just stop talking about this?! We've got a real, actual problem here. I'll Say...So tell me dear, Is it (..)2013 Frozen