- To be the person in charge who makes the important decisions and controls the situation.
Explanation
Origin
- Call the shots: Believed to originate from target practice or billiards/pool. In target practice, the person in charge would 'call' (indicate) the 'shots' (targets). In pool, players often 'call' the pocket for their shot, demonstrating control and intention.
- Call the tune: Comes from the idea that the person who chooses the music ('tune') controls what others dance or play to. Often linked to the proverb He who pays the piper calls the tune, suggesting financial control often dictates decisions.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Be the head honcho
- Run point (Lead a specific task/operation)
- Be top dog
- Be the man/woman (Informal way to say the person in charge)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Be the fucking boss
- Run the whole damn show
Milder:
- Be the decision-maker
- Hold the authority
- Be in control
Situational Appropriateness
- Call the shots is very common in both informal and business contexts.
- Call the tune is slightly less common and sometimes carries the specific connotation of control through funding. Both are generally acceptable in most situations except perhaps the most formal ones.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal meanings (shouting about targets or music) are irrelevant. The expressions are purely figurative, referring to control and decision-making power.
Examples
- As the project manager, Sarah calls the shots on resource allocation.
- In this partnership, the investors call the tune because they provide the funding.
- Don't ask me; ask the boss. She calls the shots around here.
Dialogue
Sam: Who has the final say on the new marketing campaign design?
Lee: The client calls the shots on all creative decisions. We provide options, but they choose.
Sam: Alright, good to know. We need to make sure they approve the final version then.
Lee: Exactly. They call the tune, we just play the music.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Who really calls the shots in Silicon Valley? It's often the venture capitalists. #Tech #Business
- LinkedIn Post: Learning how to effectively call the shots is key to successful project management. #Leadership #PMTips
- Forum Discussion: In my house, the toddler definitely calls the tune. 😂 #Parenting #ToddlerLife
Response Patterns
- Acknowledgment: Okay, got it., Understood., Right.
- Confirmation: Yes, that's correct.
- Sometimes disagreement about the power structure: Should they really be the one calling the shots?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After identifying who calls the shots/tune:
- Asking about their decisions: So, what have they decided?, What's the next step according to them?
- Seeking their approval or input: Okay, I'll need to run this by them.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to clarify roles, hierarchy, or control within an existing context.
Intonation
- Emphasis typically on call and shots or tune.
- The tone usually identifies or confirms who holds the power or authority.
- SHE calls the SHOTS. / The INVESTORS call the TUNE.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood. Call the tune might feel slightly more dated or formal to younger generations compared to the more common call the shots.
Regional Variations
- Both used across major English-speaking regions. Call the shots is arguably more prevalent, especially in North America.