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boss around

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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.

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Words nearby boss around

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. Kyne
  • You got your hooks on me that way, and I'm yours to boss around.

    What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
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