Synonyms

run the show

Idioms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One way to maintain its hold on a glorious past is for the musicians to run the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

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

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Cup, will run the show.

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2024

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

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2024

But the enzymes do not run the show.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023