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Decision & Control - Being in Charge

Explore English idioms that relate to being in charge, including "wear the pants" and "upper hand".

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English idioms related to Decision & Control
{one's} life [is] in {one's} hands

used to say that someone can decide whether one lives or dies

Ex: In that moment, the hostage's life was in the gunman's hands. 
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to [throw] {one's} weight around

to use one's power or influence in order to get what one wants, particularly by behaving in an aggressive and dominating manner

Ex: He only got promoted last week, and he's already throwing his weight around. 
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to [lay] down the law

to tell people what to do in a forceful and authoritative manner

Ex: The new manager laid down the law on his first day. 
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to [wear] the pants

to be the one who makes important decisions and is in complete control and of a relationship or family

Ex: Everyone knows his wife wears the pants in that family. 
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at the helm of {sth}

in complete control of or with overall responsibility for a particular person or thing

Ex: With Maria at the helm, the company became profitable again. 
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on {one's} watch

as long as one has the power and authority or is responsible for something

Ex: This mistake happened on your watch, so you need to explain it. 
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to [call] the (shots|tune)

to be in control of a particular situation and be the one who decides what needs to be done

Ex: In this project, Maria calls the shots. 
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upper hand

the position of high power or authority from which one can exert complete control over a situation or others

Ex: After the negotiation, the union clearly had the upper hand. 
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to [rule] the roost

to be in control and have absolute power in a group or in a situation

Ex: In that office, Sandra rules the roost. 
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Big brother

a powerful person or organization that invades people's privacy by controlling and monitoring their actions

Ex: Many people fear that the new system will turn the government into Big Brother. 
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(last|final) word
last word
[phrase]

the ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject

Ex: The judge has the final word on the sentence. 
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to [get] {one's} hooks into {sb/sth}

to get complete control of or to heavily influence someone or something

Ex: Once the lobbyists got their hooks into the committee, the bill changed completely. 
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to [hold] the reins

to be in charge of a particular company, organization, etc.

Ex: After the founder retired, his daughter held the reins of the company. 
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to [run] the show

to be in control of an activity, organization, or situation

Ex: The coach runs the show during every practice. 
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to [take] the reins

to take control or responsibility for something

Ex: She took the reins after the director left. 
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to [take] the wheel

to take control or responsibility

Ex: She took the wheel when the project lost direction. 
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to [take] the lead

to become the person in charge or the main person guiding others

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in {one's} hands

used to mean that one has control, responsibility, or authority over something

Ex: The decision is now in your hands. 
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captain of {one's} own ship

used to refer to an individual who has authority and control over their own life and decisions

Ex: After moving out, she finally felt like the captain of her own ship. 
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