People like to feel in charge of their lives. They like to have a sense of power over what they do, where they go, and how things turn out. But talking about control isn’t always simple. That’s why we use metaphors. These are special ways of saying one thing by comparing it to another. They help us understand hard ideas in easy ways.
Metaphors for control are common in everyday speech. They help people explain what it feels like to take charge or to lose control. In this article, you’ll learn many simple and fun metaphors for control. These examples will help you talk about power, choices, and how people manage different situations. Let’s take a look.
Metaphors for Control
1. Holding the Reins
Meaning: Being in charge of something
Example Sentence:
– Mom is holding the reins at the school meeting.
– The coach holds the reins of the team.
Other ways to say: In charge, in control
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from horse riding, where reins guide the horse.
Usage: Used when someone is leading or managing a situation
2. Pulling the Strings
Meaning: Secretly controlling others or a situation
Example Sentence:
– She’s not the boss, but she’s pulling the strings.
– I think Jake is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Other ways to say: Controlling in secret, guiding
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from puppets, where strings make them move.
Usage: Used when someone controls things without being seen
3. Steering the Ship
Meaning: Leading a group or project
Example Sentence:
– The principal is steering the ship at school.
– He’s steering the ship on this science project.
Other ways to say: Leading, guiding
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing—steering the ship decides where it goes.
Usage: Used when someone is in charge of guiding a group
4. Calling the Shots
Meaning: Making the decisions
Example Sentence:
– Dad calls the shots when we go on vacation.
– The teacher calls the shots in the classroom.
Other ways to say: In charge, makes the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports and the military
Usage: Used when someone makes the final decisions
5. The Driver’s Seat
Meaning: Having control over what happens
Example Sentence:
– She’s in the driver’s seat of her career.
– After saving money, he’s in the driver’s seat now.
Other ways to say: In control, in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: The driver’s seat controls where the car goes
Usage: Used when someone has power over choices or actions
6. Holding the Wheel
Meaning: Being in charge of direction or progress
Example Sentence:
– He’s holding the wheel on this group project.
– The captain holds the wheel during a storm.
Other ways to say: Leading, directing
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to steering cars or boats
Usage: Used when guiding something important
7. Grabbing the Controls
Meaning: Taking control of a situation
Example Sentence:
– She grabbed the controls when the plan changed.
– The coach grabbed the controls after the team struggled.
Other ways to say: Took over, took charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from machines or video games
Usage: Used when someone takes over to fix or lead
8. Running the Show
Meaning: Being the person in charge of everything
Example Sentence:
– Grandma is running the show at the family reunion.
– He ran the show during the science fair.
Other ways to say: Leading, managing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater and entertainment
Usage: Used when someone is in charge of the whole event
9. Tightening the Reins
Meaning: Gaining more control
Example Sentence:
– The teacher tightened the reins on class rules.
– Parents tightened the reins on bedtime.
Other ways to say: Got stricter, took more control
Fun Fact/Origin: From horse riding—pulling the reins gives more control
Usage: Used when control is made stronger
10. Holding the Remote
Meaning: Controlling the action or choices
Example Sentence:
– He always holds the remote during movie night.
– She wants to hold the remote in her own life.
Other ways to say: Making choices, deciding what happens
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from using a TV remote to change the channel
Usage: Used when someone wants or has control
11. Pulling the Levers
Meaning: Controlling how things work
Example Sentence:
– He was pulling the levers to make sure the plan worked.
– The mayor pulls the levers in the city.
Other ways to say: Making things happen, managing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from machines where levers control parts
Usage: Used when someone quietly makes big changes
12. Holding All the Cards
Meaning: Having all the power or advantage
Example Sentence:
– She held all the cards in the argument.
– He won because he held all the cards.
Other ways to say: Has the advantage, in control
Fun Fact/Origin: From card games, where the best hand wins
Usage: Used when someone has the upper hand
13. On a Leash
Meaning: Being tightly controlled
Example Sentence:
– The dog was on a leash, but so was the kid at the store.
– His time is on a leash with all his chores.
Other ways to say: Under control, closely watched
Fun Fact/Origin: From pet leashes used to guide animals
Usage: Used when someone is being kept from doing things freely
14. Pulling the Plug
Meaning: Stopping or ending something
Example Sentence:
– The coach pulled the plug on extra practice.
– They pulled the plug on the party when it got loud.
Other ways to say: End something, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: From unplugging a machine to turn it off
Usage: Used when someone chooses to stop something
15. Holding the Keys
Meaning: Having access or power
Example Sentence:
– She holds the keys to the classroom.
– He holds the keys to the game strategy.
Other ways to say: In control, has access
Fun Fact/Origin: Keys open locked things, showing control
Usage: Used when someone controls entry or access
16. Being the Boss
Meaning: Leading or controlling others
Example Sentence:
– He acts like he’s the boss at lunch.
– She’s the boss when it comes to cleaning up.
Other ways to say: Leader, the one in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: From workplaces, but often used in other areas
Usage: Used when someone gives orders or leads
17. Taming the Beast
Meaning: Gaining control over something wild
Example Sentence:
– He tamed the beast of his messy room.
– The teacher tamed the beast of noisy kids.
Other ways to say: Got control, calmed down
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from controlling wild animals
Usage: Used when controlling something hard or wild
18. Taking the Wheel
Meaning: Taking control or leading
Example Sentence:
– She took the wheel of her own learning.
– He took the wheel when his partner was sick.
Other ways to say: Took charge, stepped in
Fun Fact/Origin: From driving a car
Usage: Used when someone takes leadership
19. Setting the Rules
Meaning: Controlling what others do
Example Sentence:
– Mom sets the rules at home.
– The teacher sets the rules in class.
Other ways to say: Makes the rules, decides what happens
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in games and classrooms
Usage: Used when someone has the power to make decisions
20. Keeping a Tight Grip
Meaning: Holding on to control firmly
Example Sentence:
– He keeps a tight grip on his homework time.
– The coach kept a tight grip on team practice.
Other ways to say: Stays in control, strict hold
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from holding something tightly
Usage: Used when control is strong and steady
21. At the Controls
Meaning: In charge of actions or direction
Example Sentence:
– She’s at the controls during the science lab.
– He was at the controls of the drone.
Other ways to say: Leading, managing
Fun Fact/Origin: From machines or vehicles
Usage: Used when someone is operating or managing something
22. Running a Tight Ship
Meaning: Keeping everything well organized
Example Sentence:
– The coach runs a tight ship at practice.
– Mom runs a tight ship at home.
Other ways to say: Organized, strict
Fun Fact/Origin: From ships where good order was needed to sail safely
Usage: Used when someone keeps control with order
23. Having the Upper Hand
Meaning: Being in a better or stronger position
Example Sentence:
– He had the upper hand in the game.
– She has the upper hand in the debate.
Other ways to say: Has more power, has the advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hand-to-hand fights
Usage: Used when someone is ahead in power or control
24. Calling the Tune
Meaning: Making the decisions
Example Sentence:
– He calls the tune at the school club.
– She calls the tune during family games.
Other ways to say: In charge, sets the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music, where the tune sets the rhythm
Usage: Used when someone decides what happens
25. Reining It In
Meaning: Controlling behavior or action
Example Sentence:
– He had to rein in his excitement.
– The teacher reined in the noisy class.
Other ways to say: Set limits, control
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to horse reins again
Usage: Used when keeping something from getting out of hand
26. Pushing the Buttons
Meaning: Controlling someone’s actions or feelings
Example Sentence:
– He knows how to push her buttons and make her mad.
– Don’t let your brother push your buttons.
Other ways to say: Trigger, control
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from machines and emotions
Usage: Used when someone knows how to affect others
27. Gripping the Handle
Meaning: Taking control in a tough spot
Example Sentence:
– She gripped the handle and took care of the problem.
– He gripped the handle when things got hard.
Other ways to say: Took control, handled it
Fun Fact/Origin: Handles help control movement or tools
Usage: Used in situations that need focus
28. Holding the Baton
Meaning: Being the leader, often in a group
Example Sentence:
– She’s holding the baton in the school play.
– He passed the baton to the next team leader.
Other ways to say: Leading, in charge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from relay races or music conducting
Usage: Used when leadership moves between people
29. Flipping the Switch
Meaning: Starting or stopping something quickly
Example Sentence:
– He flipped the switch and started the game.
– She flipped the switch and stopped the video.
Other ways to say: Begin, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from turning lights or machines on or off
Usage: Used when control changes suddenly
30. Tightening the Screws
Meaning: Putting pressure to control
Example Sentence:
– The coach tightened the screws before the final game.
– The teacher tightened the screws before the test.
Other ways to say: Increased control, got strict
Fun Fact/Origin: Screws tighten things in place
Usage: Used when rules or control get stronger
31. Taking the Lead
Meaning: Going first or guiding others
Example Sentence:
– She took the lead in the classroom project.
– He took the lead on the group trip.
Other ways to say: Leading, being first
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in races and teamwork
Usage: Used when someone steps forward to guide others
32. Tightening the Bolts
Meaning: Making something stronger or more secure
Example Sentence:
– He tightened the bolts on the plan to make it safer.
– She tightened the bolts on classroom behavior.
Other ways to say: Strengthened control, firmed up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from building or fixing things
Usage: Used when increasing control or making something solid
33. Flipping the Script
Meaning: Changing who is in control
Example Sentence:
– She flipped the script and took over the game.
– He flipped the script when he stood up to the bully.
Other ways to say: Took charge, changed things
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from movies, where changing the script changes the story
Usage: Used when someone shifts who is in control
Quiz: Metaphors for Control
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the metaphors to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “holding the reins” mean?
A) Letting go of control
B) Being in charge
C) Asking for help
2. If someone is “in the driver’s seat,” what are they doing?
A) Taking a nap
B) Following someone
C) Controlling what happens
3. What does it mean to “pull the strings”?
A) Control something secretly
B) Cut off help
C) Start a game
4. When someone is “calling the shots,” what are they doing?
A) Watching others lead
B) Making decisions
C) Staying quiet
5. What does “running the show” mean?
A) Being the main leader
B) Buying tickets
C) Watching from the side
6. If someone “tightens the reins,” what are they doing?
A) Giving freedom
B) Losing control
C) Becoming stricter
7. What does “flipping the switch” suggest?
A) Starting or stopping something fast
B) Taking a break
C) Building something slowly
8. What does it mean to “hold all the cards”?
A) To carry a deck of cards
B) To have all the power
C) To share control equally
9. If someone is “at the controls,” what are they doing?
A) Watching from far away
B) Pressing random buttons
C) Operating or leading something
10. What does “taking the wheel” mean?
A) Driving a toy car
B) Taking charge of a situation
C) Spinning a wheel for fun
Answer Key
- B) Being in charge
- C) Controlling what happens
- A) Control something secretly
- B) Making decisions
- A) Being the main leader
- C) Becoming stricter
- A) Starting or stopping something fast
- B) To have all the power
- C) Operating or leading something
- B) Taking charge of a situation
Wrapping Up
Metaphors for control help us talk about power and leadership in fun, simple ways. They come from everyday life—like driving, steering, or using a remote. These phrases show who’s leading, making choices, or taking action. They make talking about control easier and more interesting.
Keep an ear out for them in books, shows, and conversations. You’ll start to notice them everywhere.
