in the driver's seat

idiom

: in a position in which one is able to control what happens
When his boss went on vacation, he suddenly found himself in the driver's seat.

Examples of in the driver's seat in a Sentence

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This psychological drama kicks off Netflix's slate of award-hunting movies with Murphy in the driver's seat as a troubled teacher trying to get through to his students at a school for kids with behavioral concerns. Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 Team Europe is in the driver's seat entering Sunday singles at the 45th Ryder Cup. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 Sheriff's deputies found an unresponsive man in the driver's seat of a gray Nissan Sentra on Calle Bella Vista. Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025 Behind every brilliant strategy or gadget, the real leverage depends on the man or woman in the driver's seat, i.e., your mind. Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in the driver's seat

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Cite this Entry

“In the driver's seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20driver%27s%20seat. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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