rule the roost

Cultural  

1. To dominate; to be in charge: “Even though Sally has five older brothers, she still rules the roost.”

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rule the roost Idioms  

1. Be in charge, boss others, as in In our division the chairman's son rules the roost. This expression originated in the 15th century as rule the roast, which was either a corruption of rooster or alluded to the person who was in charge of the roast and thus ran the kitchen. In the barnyard a rooster decides which hen should roost near him. Both interpretations persisted for 200 years. Thomas Heywood (c. 1630) put it as “Her that ruled the roast in the kitchen,” but Shakespeare had it in 2 Henry VI (1:1): “The new-made duke that rules the roast,” which is more ambiguous. In the mid-1700s roost began to compete with roast, and in the 1900s roost displaced roast altogether. Also see run the show.

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Example Sentences

At Real Madrid the squad's biggest names tend to rule the roost and despite a good start in terms of results, cracks began to show as Alonso's approach did not suit them.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

He said the council "allowed developers to rule the roost" and that developers often build large buildings, with too few truly affordable homes.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

And as for hospital administrators, “it’s like only they rule the roost, only they make a decision in their hospital. I’m not accepting that as a rule of law for us.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2021

The two standout ladies from “Ted Lasso” rule the roost in an absolutely loaded field.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2021

A particular robin will rule the roost, and assert successfully for his mate the choice of resting-places above competing redbreasts.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science October, 1877. Vol XX - No. 118 by Various