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]

---

Example Sentences

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

Billups emphasized the Blazers aren’t going to ask Ayton to run the show, like Joel Embiid in Philadelphia or Nikola Jokic in Denver.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2023

After its Birmingham run, the show will move to Plymouth Theatre Royal from 12-14 October and London’s Sadler’s Wells from 18-21 October.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 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