wearing the pants
Leading the household
Wearing the pants means having the dominant role or decision-making power in a relationship or household.
The phrase reflects an older era when trousers were exclusively male clothing, so whoever "wears the pants" holds traditionally masculine authority: Everyone knows she's the one wearing the pants in that marriage.
Often used to note when expected power dynamics are reversed.
- trousersBifurcated lower-body garment
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- beltStrap securing trousers
- pocketFabric compartment in clothing
- head of householdFamily's chief decision-maker
authority · control · run the show · assertive · ruling · matriarchy · jeans · top dog · leadership · taking charge · breadwinner · partnership · equality · slacks · societal norms · buckle · influence · holding the reins
- dominancedominance, dominant, supremacy, superiority, ascendancy
wearing the pantstaking a back seat
Accepting a subordinate role
kowtowing · henpecked · whipped · submissive · subordinate
wearing the pantspassive
Not actively participating
spineless · timid · unassertive · acquiescent · obedient
wear, wears, wearing, wearable, wearer, outerwear, underwear, menswear, sportswear