show who's the boss
Establish clear dominance
To show who's the boss is to assert dominance or authority, often after it's been challenged or questioned.
The phrase implies putting someone in their place through decisive action: After the new employee talked back, the manager scheduled a meeting to show him who's the boss.
Sometimes used self-deprecatingly about pets or children who seem to run the household.
- dominateControl through superior strength
- overpowerDefeat by superior force
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- wear the pantsHold domestic authority
- influencePower to affect others
put in their place · direct · take charge · intimidate · crack the whip · subdue · read the riot act · lead · pull rank · dictate · prevail · demonstrate · enforce · assert · flex · top dog · suppress · govern
show who's the bosssubmit
Present for consideration
defer · kowtow · surrender · yield · capitulate
show who's the bossacquiesce
Submit without protest
go along to get along · keep your head down · accommodate · appease · placate
show, shows, showed, shown, showing, showman, showmanship, showy, showiness