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3. wear the britches

wear the britches

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wear the britches (in the family)

 and wear the pants (in the family)

Rur. to be in charge in the family. Jane bosses her husband around something scandalous. It's clear that she wears the britches in the family. I don't intend to let my wife wear the pants in the family. Mary's a strong-minded woman, but her husband still wears the britches.

See also: britches, wear