call the tune
Set the agenda
To call the tune is to be in control, to dictate how things proceed.
The phrase comes from the idea that whoever pays the musician chooses the music—hence the fuller form He who pays the piper calls the tune.
In practice it simply means having the power to make decisions: Management calls the tune around here.
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- take the leadAssume foremost position
- decideReach a conclusion
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- ruleGoverning principle or standard
in charge · direct · pull the strings · strategize · boss · dictate · crack the whip · clout · leverage · control · dominate · piper · supremacy · influence · mastery · govern · at the helm · wear the trousers
- music expressionsmusic to my ears, play it by ear, strike a chord, play second fiddle, in harmony
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
call the tunefollow orders
take orders · obey · toe the line · fall in line · follow the leader
call the tunefollow the crowd
Adopt majority behavior
go along with · follow along · tag along · react · rubber-stamp
call, calls, called, calling, caller, callers, tune, tunes, tuned