driver's seat

American  

noun

1. the seat from which a vehicle is operated.

2. a position of power, dominance, control, or superiority.

   After the election the Democrats were back in the driver's seat.

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Etymology

Origin of driver's seat

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

“The appointment of Brandon Craig at BHP is effectively like putting the chief engineer of the ‘copper engine’ in the driver’s seat,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

He finishes preparing the engine and walks to the driver’s seat of the car, repositions his toolbox, and climbs in.

From Literature

She nods to where a neatly mustachioed man sits in the driver’s seat of an automobile on the street.

From Literature

Teddy announces, but the girl sprints over to claim the driver’s seat before he can get there.

From Literature

Stick shifts are also slower than their auto-shifted counterparts from 0-60 mph—due to the fleshy, fallible widgets sitting in the driver’s seat.

From The Wall Street Journal