in the driver's seat
Holding the reins
In the driver's seat means in control or in a position of authority.
The phrase draws on the literal image of whoever controls a vehicle: After the merger, their CEO will be in the driver's seat.
It emphasizes agency and decision-making power rather than being a passenger to events.
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- turnRotational movement
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- influencePower to affect others
- gripSecure manual hold
command · in control · leverage · empowerment · ownership · shift · control · behind the wheel · authority · captain · calling the shots · running the show · taking charge · reins · autonomy · dominance · wheel · road trip
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, at the helm, call the shots, take charge
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- taking chargeleading, commanding, directing, managing, captaining
in the driver's seatalong for the ride
Present without active participation
powerless · out of control · backseat driver · helpless · adrift
in the driver's seatsubordinate
One lower in rank
taking orders · subservient · dominated · outranked · dancing to someone's tune
driver, seat, drive, drives, driven, driving, drivable, driveway, overdrive