in the driver's seat

Idioms  

1. Also, in the saddle. In control, in a position of authority. For example, With the boss on vacation, Mr. Burns was in the driver's seat and enjoying it, or She waited until after the election, knowing that she'd be in the saddle then. The first expression dates from the 1800s, the second from the early 1600s. Also see at the helm.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the driver's seat

Such companies are underpriced by markets, in his opinion, as he made clear how he felt about the popular names in the driver’s seat for markets.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 10, 2026

That’s a sign bond yields are now in the driver’s seat.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

“He got in the driver’s seat when the deregulation trend was incipient. He was a champion of deregulating the financial industry.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

Steering the conversation with the right questions keeps us in the driver’s seat and seeing around corners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

“Hmph,” the coachman said, but he helped Penelope climb up next to him in the driver’s seat.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---