call the tune

Cultural  

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

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call the tune Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

As the needle drops on a new era of digital music creation, the controversy in Sweden over Jacub suggests that for now at least it is human musicians not machines who still call the tune.

From BBC

Roberts and Kavanaugh called the tune and knew the dance steps well.

From Salon

He, or she, who wields the gavel calls the tune.

From Los Angeles Times

“Corporations have always called the tune ultimately. Everyone pays attention to the guys at the top and always has.”

From Washington Post

The question, of course, is how long, even at those companies, the old law will be suspended — that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

From New York Times

Related Words

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