call the shots

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

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Verb

call the shots

1. (chiefly US) To make the decisions; to be in charge; to give orders.

   Synonym: call the tune

   You may know all about glassblowing, but here in the gym I call the shots.

   • 1994 January 25, Bill Clinton, William Jefferson Clinton's Second State of the Union Address‎^[1]:

     In today's health care system, insurance companies call the shots. They pick whom they cover and how they cover them. They can cut off your benefits when you need your coverage the most. They are in charge.

Translations

to make decisions

• Finnish: määrätä (fi), tehdä päätökset
• French: décider (fr), commander (fr)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: зака́зывать му́зыку (ru) (zakázyvatʹ múzyku), заправля́ть (ru) (zapravljátʹ),
• Spanish: cortar el bacalao, llevar la voz cantante