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

He also questioned the newly hired executive producer, Nick Bilton, and his ability to run the show, citing his lack of TV news experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Lorenzo: Celtic cannot progress while the same faces run the show with their regular-managed decline.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

But she figured the organization wanted to become a more progressive funder; after all, they’d hired her — an activist attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund — to run the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2023

Veteran Vatican-watchers, however, caution that even with women taking on high-profile appointments and winning the right to vote at the October synod, the men still run the show.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2023

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