at the wheel

Idioms  

1. In command, in control. For example, Ann hated being told what to do; she wanted to be at the wheel by herself. The analogy here is to the steering wheel of an automobile or other vehicle, or the helm of a vessel. For a synonym, see at the helm.

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Example Sentences

It was a move akin to asking a learner to take his driving test at the wheel of a Ferrari.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Now the Roadster may be Tesla’s last-ever vehicle designed to have a human driver at the wheel.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

You can feel the vectored torque tugging at the wheel as it fights off understeer in a tight turn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

As Mae and Tuck rolled past, the young man grinned and said to the driver of the Hudson, who lounged at the wheel, “Looky there. In from the country for a big time.”

From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit