IDIOMS ABOUT AUTHORITY

BE ON TOP OF SOMETHING – to be in control or aware of something

Mr. Fatred frowned looking through financial reports: the real spending didn't correspond to the figures on the paper. Of course, he was on top of the leakage because all money went to his own pockets but how should he explain it to his boss, Mr. Bull?

WEAR THE PANTS/ WEAR THE TROUSERS – to take the dominant position in family or relationship and control everything

Mr. Bull's father had been the head of the company for more than 20 years but, unfortunately, he passed away a week ago. That was a huge tragedy for everybody, especially for Mr. Fatred since Mr. Bull took over control of the company. The previous owner had no interest in his own company and that's why this business was on the Fatred's shoulders. Frankly speaking, Fatred was absolutely satisfied with this situation. He called this company his ‘family’ and he, of course, was the one who "wore the pants" here.

BE A LAW UNTO YOURSELF – to ignore rules or laws and behave as you want

Fatred was sure that he was a law unto himself. So, it was natural for him to take the company money for his own needs and consider it an additional payment for his excellent work.

GET OUT OF HAND – to become not so well controlled, be unmanageable

The situation suddenly got out of hand after Mr. Bull's arrival.

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN – to be inflexible regarding any situation or opinion and insist on getting smth done your way

Mr. Bull decided to put his foot down and take over all control. He made all workers send him reports that showed the tasks they completed and the money they spent.

BE BREATHING DOWN SOMEONE’S NECK – to watch someone closely and monitor their activity in a very irritating way

Fatred not only lost the ability to do business as he wished but also was forced to account for every single dollar because Mr. Bull was breathing down his neck.

TWIST SOMEONE AROUND YOUR LITTLE FINGER/ WRAP SOMEONE AROUND YOUR LITTLE FINGER – to persuade someone to do whatever you wish

This time Fatred couldn't twist his boss around his little finger.

PASS THE BUCK – to make someone else responsible for something or someone instead of yourself

There was only one solution left: to pass the back to Fatred’s subordinates and pretend to know nothing about extra spending.

HAVE SOMEONE EATING OUT OF YOUR HAND/ HAVE SOMEONE EATING OUT OF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND – to make someone behave as you want them to or make them do what you tell because you have an influence on them

These subordinates owed Fatred a lot. They literary ate out of Fatred’s hand because he shared the money he took from the company’s budget. Of course, he didn't share the money equally but still…

PULL STRINGS – to use influence or power to get what you want (1)

TWIST SOMEONE’S ARM – to force someone to do something (2)

It was the right time to pull strings (1): he would just twist his subordinate’s arms (2) and make others take the responsibility.

CALL THE SHOTS – to dictate how other people should behave or situation should proceed because you have authority to do so

Fatred wanted to call the shots for the last time since there wouldn't be another opportunity to do it.

Test your knowledge of idioms about authority here:

Test 1

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