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

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

After being checked over by paramedics, she was told very low blood pressure had caused her to faint at the wheel.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Chief among them, is the idea that replacing humans at the wheel with high-tech software will provide immense safety benefits.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

Back in the lorry, Henri was sick in the cab, and Jean-Marie, who was at the wheel, got into a panic and drove into a ditch.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan