run the show

Idioms  

1. Take charge, assume control, as in Ever since Bill retired from the business, his daughter's been running the show. The word show here simply means “kind of undertaking.” [First half of 1900s] A similar usage is run one's own show, meaning “exert control over one's own activities” or “act independently.” For example, The high school drama club didn't ask permission to perform that play—they want to run their own show. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

run the show

A handful of powerful agencies run the show, which means they have to bet on an aspiring star for them to succeed in Korea.

From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2026

It was both the first time they’d run the show on a stage and the last time they would practice before the sold-out Beautiful Chaos tour.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

"This isn't the best way to run the show," he told the BBC.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2024

Powerful institutional investors like mutual funds and index funds typically run the show.

From New York Times ● Mar. 30, 2024

In Africa, Gene had felt that C. J. was trying to run the show, and it irritated Gene to no end.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• dominate
• govern
• guide
• handle
• maintain
• operate
• oversee
• regulate
• run
• supervise
• take care of
• take over
• train
• use