taking the wheel
Steering the vehicle
Taking the wheel means assuming control, especially of a vehicle but often figuratively of any situation requiring direction.
Someone literally takes the wheel when they start driving; metaphorically, a new CEO takes the wheel of a struggling company.
The phrase emphasizes active assumption of responsibility: After years of following others' plans, she decided to take the wheel of her own life.
- guidingLeading toward destination
- assertingStating something confidently
- leadingGuiding or pacing type
- in controlManaging with authority
- driver's seatVehicle operator's position
seize control · managing · driving · choosing · steering · changing lanes · influencing · navigating · road trip · backseat driver · initiating · reversing · braking · strategizing · empowering · orchestrating · piloting · captain
taking the wheelriding shotgun
Occupying the front passenger seat
going along for the ride · backseat driving · taking a back seat · following · tagging along
taking the wheelstepping down
Voluntarily relinquishing a role
passing the torch · abdicating · letting go · stepping aside · stepping back
taking the wheelchecking out
Examining or departing
zoning out · disengaging · tuning out · coasting · going with the flow
take, taking, taken, takes, taker, takers, wheel, wheels, wheeled