driver's seat

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of driver's seat¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

After killing her, Tape moved her body from the driver's seat to the passenger seat, buckled the seat belt and drove away.

From BBC

In the new footage, Lil Nas X recites some Nicki Minaj lyrics from the Kanye West tune “Monster” as he struts runway-style toward the person shooting the video, who appears to be in the driver’s seat of a car.

From Los Angeles Times

They believe they are in the driver’s seat, and they want to be in control of their futures.

From Slate

He had been a passenger in a Mercedes that day before jumping into the driver's seat, despite having earlier taken cocaine.

From BBC

Instead, according to police, Flores continued to sit in the driver’s seat and then raised the replica rifle, prompting three officers to open fire.

From Los Angeles Times