micromanage someone
/ˌmaɪkrəʊˈmænɪdʒ ˈsʌmwʌn/
Meaning
This expression means to control or closely observe every small detail of what another person is doing, rather than trusting them to handle it independently. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the manager or partner is overly controlling, anxious, and lacks trust in the other person's abilities.
Examples
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If you micromanage your employees, they will lose their motivation and sense of initiative.
If you micromanage your employees, they will lose their motivation and sense of initiative.
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I had to quit my last job because my boss would constantly micromanage me.
I had to quit my last job because my boss would constantly micromanage me.
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Parents should guide their children but avoid trying to micromanage them as they grow older.
Parents should guide their children but avoid trying to micromanage them as they grow older.
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She realized she was starting to micromanage her partner's cooking, so she stepped out of the kitchen.
She realized she was starting to micromanage her partner's cooking, so she stepped out of the kitchen.
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A good leader knows how to delegate tasks without needing to micromanage anyone.
A good leader knows how to delegate tasks without needing to micromanage anyone.
Common Mistakes
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✗ My manager always micromanages about my work.
✓ My manager always micromanages my work.
'Micromanage' is a transitive verb; it takes a direct object without the preposition 'about'.
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✗ He is a micromanaging boss who likes to micromanage with his team.
✓ He is a micromanaging boss who likes to micromanage his team.
Do not use 'with' after 'micromanage' when specifying who is being controlled.
Related Expressions
Practice
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If you constantly ___, they will feel like you do not trust their abilities.
💡 Control every small detail of a person's tasks.
Show answer
micromanage someone
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As a leader, you must learn to delegate tasks rather than try to ___.
💡 Control every little detail of a person's work.
Show answer
micromanage someone