call the tune

1. To be in control. The phrase comes from the proverb “ The one who pays the piper calls the tune .”

Idioms and Phrases

Make important decisions, exercise authority, as in Nancy said that it's her turn to call the tune . The full term is Who pays the piper calls the tune , meaning whoever bears the cost of an enterprise should have authority over it. [Late 1800s] Also see the synonym call the shots .

Related Words

• attend
• control
• direct
• handle
• keep
• manage
• operate
• order
• organize
• oversee
• regulate
• run
• supervise