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Meaning & use

calling shots

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌkɔːlɪŋ ðə ˈʃɒts/
US/ˌkɔːlɪŋ ðə ˈʃɑːts/

“calling shots” is a form of “call the shots”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meaning

  1. phraseidiominformal

    Being the person who makes the important decisions and controls what happens.

    Grammar: An idiom used with 'be' or verbs like 'start'; it is not used with an object: she is calling the shots.

    Patterns

    • be calling the shots
    • start calling the shots
    • who is calling the shots?

    After the merger, the new CEO is calling the shots.

    She may be young, but she is calling the shots in this department.

    Stop asking me — the coach is the one calling the shots.

Common combinations

be the one calling the shots
In this house, my grandmother is the one calling the shots.
start calling the shots
Once he owned most of the shares, he started calling the shots.
who's calling the shots
Who's calling the shots on this project?
let someone else call the shots
For once, let someone else call the shots.

Synonyms and how they differ

be in charge
More neutral and general; it states authority rather than the informal idea of controlling decisions.
run the show
Very close in tone, but it stresses managing an operation rather than deciding policy.
be in the driver's seat
A similar idiom that emphasizes being in control of a situation, often temporarily.

Opposites

take ordersfollow orders

Word family

call the shots phrase
The base idiom, meaning to make the important decisions.
shot-caller noun
Informal American noun for the person who makes the decisions.

Commonly confused: calling shots or call the tune? calling shots or shoot from the hip?

calling shots vs call the tune

A British idiom with almost the same meaning; 'call the shots' is far more common in American English.

calling shots vs shoot from the hip

This means to act or speak quickly without thinking, not to be in control.

Practice

When the two founders argue, it is usually the investors who are ___ .

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