run the show

Idioms and Phrases

Take charge, assume control, as in Ever since Bill retired from the business, his daughter's been running the show . The word show here simply means “kind of undertaking.” [First half of 1900s] A similar usage is run one's own show , meaning “exert control over one's own activities” or “act independently.” For example, The high school drama club didn't ask permission to perform that play—they want to run their own show . [Mid-1900s]

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• dominate
• govern
• guide
• handle
• maintain
• operate
• oversee
• regulate
• run
• supervise
• take care of
• take over
• train
• use