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call the shots

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call (all) the shots

to decide on the course of action; to be in charge. Why do you have to call all the shots? Do what you're told. I'll call the shots.

See also: call, shot

call the shots

 and call the tune

Fig. to make the decisions; to decide what is to be done. Sally always wants to call the shots, and Mary doesn't like to be bossed around. They don't get along well. Sally always wants to call the tune.

See also: call, shot

call the shots

to make the important decisions The company was more successful when just one or two people were calling the shots.

Related vocabulary: call the tune

See also: call, shot

call the shots/tune

to be the person who makes all the important decisions and who has the most power in a situation She was used to calling the shots, to being in charge.

See answer the call of nature, call in chips, bring to heel

See also: call, shot

call the shots

Exercise authority, be in charge, as in It's up to the boss to call the shots. This term probably alludes to determining accuracy in target practice. [Mid-1900s] Also see call the tune.

See also: call, shot

call the shots

verb

See call all the shots

See also: call, shot