Power is an important part of life. It shapes how people lead, make decisions, and solve problems. Throughout history, people have used language to describe power in different ways. Idioms help express ideas about authority, control, and leadership in a creative way. They can show strength, force, and even rulership in simple phrases. Some idioms come from history, while others come from everyday life.
Understanding these idioms can help you recognize how people talk about power. They can also help you use language more effectively. Whether it’s about sovereignty, hierarchy, or influence, these expressions appear in stories, conversations, and speeches. Learning them will improve the way you communicate and understand the world around you.
Idioms About Power
1. Call the shots
Meaning: To be in control and make decisions.
Example Sentence:
- The coach calls the shots for the basketball team.
- Mom calls the shots when it comes to bedtime.
Other ways to say: Be in charge, Make the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from sports, where referees or officials decide the rules.
Usage: Used when talking about leadership or decision-making.
2. Hold the reins
Meaning: To have control over something.
Example Sentence:
- The principal holds the reins of the school.
- Dad let me hold the reins and plan our trip.
Other ways to say: Be in command, Have control
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from horseback riding, where reins guide the horse.
Usage: Used when talking about leadership or responsibility.
3. Rule the roost
Meaning: To be the boss or leader in a group.
Example Sentence:
- My grandma rules the roost at family dinners.
- In our house, my sister thinks she rules the roost.
Other ways to say: Be the boss, Take charge
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from farms, where the strongest chicken controls the others.
Usage: Often used for family or workplace leadership.
4. Hold all the cards
Meaning: To have the most power in a situation.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher holds all the cards when giving grades.
- My boss holds all the cards in deciding promotions.
Other ways to say: Have the upper hand, Be in control
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from card games, where the best hand wins.
Usage: Used in business, sports, or everyday situations.
5. Take the helm
Meaning: To take control of a group or project.
Example Sentence:
- When the CEO retired, a new leader took the helm.
- I took the helm on our class project.
Other ways to say: Lead the way, Be in command
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sailing, where the “helm” is the ship’s steering wheel.
Usage: Used in leadership situations.
6. Behind the scenes
Meaning: To work quietly in the background without getting attention.
Example Sentence:
- The manager works behind the scenes to keep the office running.
- My friend helps behind the scenes with our school play.
Other ways to say: In the background, In secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater, where the most important work happens offstage.
Usage: Used to describe people who work quietly or secretly.
7. In charge
Meaning: To be responsible for something or someone.
Example Sentence:
- John is in charge of our school’s recycling program.
- Mom is in charge when Dad is out of town.
Other ways to say: Lead, Have control
Fun Fact/Origin: This simple phrase is often used in offices, schools, or homes.
Usage: Common in many situations to show leadership.
8. The buck stops here
Meaning: The final responsibility lies with the person in charge.
Example Sentence:
- The manager said, “The buck stops here,” and took responsibility for the mistake.
- If something goes wrong, the teacher always says the buck stops here.
Other ways to say: Take responsibility, The final word
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase was used by President Harry Truman, who kept a sign on his desk with these words.
Usage: Used when someone accepts responsibility for something.
9. Big cheese
Meaning: An important or powerful person.
Example Sentence:
- The principal is the big cheese in the school.
- He became the big cheese at his company after many years of hard work.
Other ways to say: The boss, The head honcho
Fun Fact/Origin: “Big cheese” comes from an old English word meaning something important.
Usage: Often used in a joking or informal way to describe someone powerful.
10. Pull the strings
Meaning: To control or influence events behind the scenes.
Example Sentence:
- The mayor pulls the strings when it comes to local politics.
- She pulls the strings to get us the best seats at the concert.
Other ways to say: Pull the levers, Have control
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from puppetry, where someone behind the curtain controls the puppet.
Usage: Used to talk about hidden control or influence.
11. Wear the crown
Meaning: To hold the highest position or authority.
Example Sentence:
- The CEO wears the crown at the company.
- After the election, she wore the crown as the new president.
Other ways to say: Be the leader, Be in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to royalty, where the king or queen holds the highest authority.
Usage: Often used when describing someone in a powerful or ruling position.
12. Call the shots
Meaning: To make the decisions in a situation.
Example Sentence:
- The coach calls the shots during the game.
- Dad calls the shots when it comes to family vacations.
Other ways to say: Be the decision maker, Have the final say
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from sports, where referees or coaches have control over the game.
Usage: Used when someone is in control or makes important decisions.
13. Take the lead
Meaning: To take charge or be the first to act.
Example Sentence:
- Sarah took the lead in organizing our school fundraiser.
- It’s time for you to take the lead and finish the project.
Other ways to say: Be the first, Lead the way
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from leadership roles in various fields, such as business or sports.
Usage: Used when someone takes the responsibility to lead or direct.
14. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something.
Example Sentence:
- Let’s get the ball rolling on our new science project.
- She was the one to get the ball rolling with the team’s new idea.
Other ways to say: Start things off, Begin
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports, where rolling the ball starts a game or play.
Usage: Used when someone is starting a task or project.
15. Be on top of the game
Meaning: To be very good at something and in control.
Example Sentence:
- The soccer team is on top of the game after winning five matches in a row.
- He is on top of his game as the best chess player in the school.
Other ways to say: Be the best, Be in control
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being ahead of others in a competitive activity or profession.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is very successful or skilled.
16. Call the tune
Meaning: To be the person who makes the decisions or controls a situation.
Example Sentence:
- The director calls the tune during the rehearsal.
- In our family, Mom calls the tune when it comes to planning holidays.
Other ways to say: Be in charge, Make the decisions
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from music, where the person calling the tune sets the rhythm and direction of a song.
Usage: Used when someone is in charge or directing events.
17. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control of a situation.
Example Sentence:
- After the promotion, she’s in the driver’s seat at her new job.
- He’s in the driver’s seat when it comes to making decisions for the project.
Other ways to say: Be in control, Be in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from driving a car, where the driver has full control of the vehicle.
Usage: Used to describe someone who has control over a situation.
18. Be a force to be reckoned with
Meaning: To be someone or something powerful or important.
Example Sentence:
- She’s a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
- The new company is a force to be reckoned with in the tech industry.
Other ways to say: Be powerful, Be strong
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase emphasizes the strength or power of someone or something that cannot be ignored.
Usage: Often used to describe people or groups with significant power or influence.
19. Move mountains
Meaning: To achieve something very difficult or seemingly impossible.
Example Sentence:
- With enough effort, you can move mountains and reach your goals.
- He moved mountains to get the team to win the championship.
Other ways to say: Overcome obstacles, Achieve the impossible
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea that even huge mountains can be moved with great effort.
Usage: Used when someone does something challenging or extraordinary.
20. Sit at the top of the food chain
Meaning: To be at the highest level or in the most powerful position.
Example Sentence:
- After his promotion, he now sits at the top of the food chain in the company.
- The principal sits at the top of the food chain at school.
Other ways to say: Be the boss, Be in control
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from biology, where the top predator is at the top of the food chain.
Usage: Often used to describe someone who is in the highest position of authority or control.
21. Bend to someone’s will
Meaning: To give in to someone’s power or influence.
Example Sentence:
- The workers bent to the manager’s will when he asked for more hours.
- The team had to bend to the coach’s will after losing several games.
Other ways to say: Submit to, Yield to
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase highlights the idea of giving up control to another person.
Usage: Used when someone changes their actions or thoughts because of someone else’s influence.
22. Crown jewel
Meaning: The most valuable or important part of something.
Example Sentence:
- His latest invention is the crown jewel of the company.
- The crown jewel of the museum is the rare diamond.
Other ways to say: Best asset, Most prized possession
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the most valuable jewel in a royal crown, often seen as the most prized item.
Usage: Used to describe the most important or valuable thing in a group.
23. Be the big fish in a small pond
Meaning: To be important in a small group or area.
Example Sentence:
- At his small school, he’s the big fish in a small pond.
- She’s the big fish in the local theater group, but wants to move to a bigger city.
Other ways to say: Be the top dog, Be the leader
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from the idea that a big fish is more noticeable and important in a small pond.
Usage: Often used when someone is well-known or important in a limited space.
24. At the top of the heap
Meaning: To be at the highest level or most successful in a group.
Example Sentence:
- After years of hard work, he finally made it to the top of the heap in the business world.
- She’s at the top of the heap in her class and always gets the highest grades.
Other ways to say: Be at the top, Be the best
Fun Fact/Origin: “Heap” refers to a pile or stack, and being at the top means being the most successful.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is the most successful or important in a group.
25. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To have an advantage over someone else.
Example Sentence:
- In the game of chess, she had the upper hand after capturing the queen.
- The team had the upper hand when they scored first.
Other ways to say: Be in control, Have an advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from card games, where the upper hand meant holding the best cards.
Usage: Used when someone is in a stronger position than others.
26. Be the top dog
Meaning: To be the most powerful or important person in a group.
Example Sentence:
- The top dog of the company makes all the big decisions.
- He’s the top dog on the basketball team because he scores the most points.
Other ways to say: Be the leader, Be in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: “Top dog” comes from the idea that the dominant dog in a pack is the leader.
Usage: Used to describe someone who holds the most power in a situation.
27. Under someone’s thumb
Meaning: To be controlled by someone.
Example Sentence:
- He’s under his boss’s thumb and does whatever he’s told.
- She’s always under her parents’ thumb, following their rules.
Other ways to say: Be controlled by, Be dominated by
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from the idea of having someone so under control that they are like a small object in your hand.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is dominated or controlled by another person.
28. On top of the world
Meaning: To feel very successful or powerful.
Example Sentence:
- After winning the championship, the team felt on top of the world.
- She was on top of the world when she got her dream job.
Other ways to say: Be very happy, Feel like a winner
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is used to express feeling as if nothing can stop you, as if you were literally on top of the world.
Usage: Used when someone feels powerful or extremely happy about their success.
29. Lead by example
Meaning: To show others how to act by doing something yourself.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher led by example by always being kind to others.
- As captain, she leads by example and works hard every practice.
Other ways to say: Show the way, Set an example
Fun Fact/Origin: Leaders are expected to lead by doing things themselves, not just by giving orders.
Usage: Used to encourage others to follow your actions rather than just your words.
30. Have a hand in
Meaning: To be involved in something, especially in controlling or deciding.
Example Sentence:
- She had a hand in designing the new school logo.
- His team had a hand in choosing the decorations for the event.
Other ways to say: Be part of, Have control over
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of “having a hand” in something, implying involvement or influence.
Usage: Used when talking about someone’s involvement in making decisions.
31. Behind closed doors
Meaning: To do something secretly or privately.
Example Sentence:
- The negotiations were happening behind closed doors with no one knowing the details.
- The company is making important decisions behind closed doors.
Other ways to say: In private, Secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that important decisions often take place away from the public eye.
Usage: Often used to describe things that are hidden or not openly shared with others.
32. Hold court
Meaning: To be the center of attention, especially in a group.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher held court during the meeting, answering everyone’s questions.
- He loves to hold court with his friends at lunch and tell funny stories.
Other ways to say: Be the center of attention, Lead the discussion
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the royal courts, where the king or queen would sit and rule over their subjects.
Usage: Used when someone is dominating a conversation or situation.
33. The power behind the throne
Meaning: To be the person who controls things from behind the scenes.
Example Sentence:
- His assistant is the power behind the throne, making all the real decisions.
- The mayor’s advisor is known as the power behind the throne in the city.
Other ways to say: The hidden leader, The unseen influence
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea that many rulers had advisors or people who controlled things from behind them.
Usage: Used when someone is secretly pulling the strings in a situation.
34. Take the bull by the horns
Meaning: To face a difficult situation directly and take control.
Example Sentence:
- She took the bull by the horns and organized the event in just a week.
- Instead of running away from the challenge, he took the bull by the horns.
Other ways to say: Tackle the problem, Face the challenge
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of controlling a bull by grabbing its horns, which is very difficult but shows strength.
Usage: Used when someone takes direct action to solve a problem.
35. Show who’s boss
Meaning: To demonstrate that you are in control or in charge.
Example Sentence:
- After the team started slacking, the coach showed them who’s boss with a strict practice.
- The new manager quickly showed everyone who’s boss by setting clear rules.
Other ways to say: Assert authority, Take control
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often used when someone establishes their leadership by showing their power or strength.
Usage: Used to describe someone proving they are the leader or in control.
Quiz: Idioms About Power
Question Key
1. What does the idiom “rule the roost” mean?
A) To make all the decisions in a group
B) To act like a chicken
C) To avoid making decisions
2. If someone “holds all the cards,” what does it mean?
A) They are not in control of the situation
B) They are in the strongest position
C) They are playing a game
3. What does “take the helm” mean?
A) To make a decision after consulting with others
B) To take control and lead a situation
C) To watch someone else lead
4. If someone is “in charge,” what do they do?
A) Follow the rules set by others
B) Make decisions and lead a group
C) Let someone else lead the group
5. What does “the buck stops here” mean?
A) Someone else is responsible
B) You take responsibility for the problem
C) You ignore the problem
6. When someone is called the “big cheese,” what does it mean?
A) They are the leader or boss
B) They are the newest employee
C) They have no power
7. To “call the shots” means:
A) To give advice to others
B) To make the important decisions
C) To sit and wait for instructions
8. If you “take the lead,” what are you doing?
A) You let someone else make the decisions
B) You take control and show others how to do it
C) You follow the directions given to you
9. What does it mean to be “a force to be reckoned with”?
A) To be weak and easily defeated
B) To be very powerful or important
C) To be unnoticed by others
10. What does the idiom “be on top of the world” mean?
A) To feel sad or upset
B) To feel very successful and happy
C) To feel lost or confused
Answer Key
- A) To make all the decisions in a group
- B) They are in the strongest position
- B) To take control and lead a situation
- B) Make decisions and lead a group
- B) You take responsibility for the problem
- A) They are the leader or boss
- B) To make the important decisions
- B) You take control and show others how to do it
- B) To be very powerful or important
- B) To feel very successful and happy
Wrapping Up
Powerful idioms are a great way to talk about control, leadership, and influence. Whether you’re in charge of a team, making decisions, or showing strength, these expressions help us explain how we feel or act in different situations. Understanding these idioms can help you communicate better in everyday life, from school to sports to family.
Now that you’ve learned some common idioms about power, try using them in your own conversations. The more you practice, the easier it will be to use them naturally. Keep these idioms in mind, and you’ll sound like a pro in no time!
