boss around
Save This Word!
Tell someone what to do, give orders. For example, David complained that his older sister was always bossing him around. The use of boss in the sense of “to dominate” dates from the mid-1800s, and around was added a few decades later.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Words nearby boss around
Bosporus, bosquet, boss, bossage, bossa nova, boss around, bossboy, boss cocky, bossdom, bosset, bosseyed
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
How to use boss around in a sentence
Daney gave them a free hand and spoiled them, but I'm going to teach them who's boss around here now.
Kindred of the Dust|Peter B. KyneYou got your hooks on me that way, and I'm yours to boss around.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes