bosses around
Controls with commands
To boss around is to give someone orders in a domineering way, often without legitimate authority: She's always bossing her little brother around.
The phrase implies petty control rather than leadership—micromanaging or commanding when you shouldn't be.
Stop bossing me around; you're not my supervisor.
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- dominateControl through superior strength
- lord it overBehave arrogantly toward subordinates
- nagPester repeatedly
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
call the shots · run the show · oppress · assert · micromanage · dictate · lay down the law · henpeck · order · direct · intimidate · instruct · pull rank · manipulate · browbeat · crack the whip · supervise · patronize