call the shots

phrase

: to be in charge or control : determine the policy or procedure

Who calls the shots around here?

Examples of call the shots in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But of course Republicans don’t call the shots in Springfield. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

With no one above her in the office, Chattah seemingly has been calling the shots on federal prosecutions in the state, handling cases referred by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Fleury was the San Francisco 49ers’ tight ends coach for four seasons and is expected to feature the position prominently in his first season calling the shots for the Seahawks’ offense. — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

But if the pressure on the economy makes Tehran desperate, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders who ultimately call the shots could choose to escalate the situation rather than seek compromise. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for call the shots

• afterthoughts
• apricots
• argonauts
• astronauts
• cosmonauts
• huguenots
• kilowatts
• megawatts
• wyandots
• allots
• boycotts
• croats