wear the pants
Be in charge
To wear the pants is to be the dominant partner in a relationship, the one who makes decisions and exercises authority.
The phrase assumes pants as a symbol of masculine power, so it often carries a note of surprise or disapproval when applied to women: Everyone knows she wears the pants in that marriage.
Too fond of directing others
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- controllingExerting authority over others
- alphaFirst Greek letter
head of household · final say · call the shots · run the show · take charge · in charge · top dog · upper hand
Ability to direct others
- decision-makerOne with choosing power
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- powerEnergy transfer rate
influence · sway · clout · helm · reign · rule · boss · chief
Male-dominated social order
- feminismAdvocacy for sex equality
- gender rolesExpected behaviors by sex
- gender normsSocial expectations by sex
- traditionalismAdherence to inherited customs
egalitarianism · role reversal · emancipation · masculinity · femininity · househusband · stay-at-home dad · glass ceiling
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- agencyPower to act
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
assertiveness · initiative · backbone · self-sufficiency · free spirit · self-directed · take the reins
bossy
Too fond of directing others
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- controllingExerting authority over others
alpha · head of household · final say · call the shots · run the show · take charge · in charge · top dog · upper hand · whip hand
leadership
Ability to direct others
- decision-makerOne with choosing power
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
power · influence · sway · clout · helm · reign · rule · boss · chief · captain
patriarchy
Male-dominated social order
- feminismAdvocacy for sex equality
- gender rolesExpected behaviors by sex
- gender normsSocial expectations by sex
traditionalism · egalitarianism · role reversal · emancipation · masculinity · femininity · househusband · stay-at-home dad · glass ceiling · male privilege
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- agencyPower to act
self-determination · assertiveness · initiative · backbone · self-sufficiency · free spirit · self-directed · take the reins
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, dressed to the nines, dressed to kill, at the drop of a hat, old hat
- powerauthority, electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power
wear the pantstake a back seat
Become less prominent
play second fiddle · kowtow · knuckle under · toe the line · follow orders
wear the pantsshrink back
Withdraw due to fear
roll over · go along to get along · hold one's tongue · bite one's tongue · go with the flow
wear, pants, wearing, pant, panting, wears, underpants, panted, pantaloons