dances to someone's tune
Does their bidding
To dance to someone's tune is to do what they want, to follow their lead obediently or submissively.
The image is of a puppet or performer controlled by whoever plays the music: After the merger, we all danced to the new CEO's tune.
Often appears with modifiers suggesting reluctant compliance: He didn't like it, but he danced to their tune.
- submitPresent for consideration
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- puppetControlled performing figure
- marionetteString-controlled theatrical figure
- beholdenOwing thanks or duty
pull the strings · obey · manipulate · conform · sing from the same hymn sheet · jump through hoops · deferential · rely · supplicant · subjugated · toe the line · depend · lap dog · follow · subordinate · yes man · dominate · servile
dances to someone's tunedoes one's own thing
Acts on personal preference
goes one's own way · independent · autonomous · self-directed · freethinking
dances to someone's tunerebels
Armed opposition fighters
stands one's ground · digs in one's heels · defiant · insubordinate · mutinous
dances to someone's tunerebels
Armed opposition fighters
stands one's ground · pushes back · resists · fights back · digs in one's heels
dance, dances, danced, dancing, dancer, dancers, someone, tuners, attune