call the shots

Meaning

This expression means to be the person who controls a situation, makes the important decisions, or has authority. It likely comes from target shooting or billiards, where players announce where they intend to hit. In casual and professional contexts, it describes who is boss.

Examples

• As the director of this movie, she is the one who calls the shots on set.

  As the director of this movie, she is the one who calls the shots on set.

• I'm just an assistant editor, so I don't get to call the shots here.

  I'm just an assistant editor, so I don't get to call the shots here.

• In a professional band, it's rare for just one member to call all the shots.

  In a professional band, it's rare for just one member to call all the shots.

• Who calls the shots around here when the manager is away on vacation?

  Who calls the shots around here when the manager is away on vacation?

• He likes to act like he's in charge, but everyone knows his producer calls the shots.

  He likes to act like he's in charge, but everyone knows his producer calls the shots.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She is the one who says the shots.

  ✓ She is the one who calls the shots.

  The verb in this idiom is strictly 'call', not 'say' or 'tell'.

• ✗ The boss calls the shot.

  ✓ The boss calls the shots.

  'Shots' must always be plural in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• In this creative project, the lead designer gets to ___.

  💡 It means to make the final decisions.

  Show answer

  call the shots

• I don't ___; you'll have to ask the stage manager.

  💡 I am not the boss here.

  Show answer

  call the shots