Meaning & use
micromanage
Last updated
Meaning
verbtransitivedisapproving
To control every small detail of other people's work, often in a way that annoys them.
Grammar: Takes an object: micromanage a project, micromanage your staff.
Patterns
- micromanage someone
- micromanage something
- micromanage how someone does something
Good managers set clear goals and then trust their team, rather than micromanaging every step.
She felt her boss was micromanaging her, checking her emails and asking for constant updates.
If you micromanage the project, people will stop making decisions on their own.
Word forms
| third person singular | micromanages |
|---|---|
| past tense | micromanaged |
| past participle | micromanaged |
| -ing form | micromanaging |
Common combinations
- micromanage employees
- He tends to micromanage employees instead of giving them freedom.
- micromanage every detail
- She tries to micromanage every detail of the event.
- accused of micromanaging
- The director was accused of micromanaging the film crew.
- stop micromanaging
- You need to stop micromanaging and let them do their jobs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- overcontrol
- Overcontrol is similar but less specific; micromanage specifically means controlling small details of work.
- dictate
- Dictate means to give orders, often about what to do, not necessarily every small detail.
Opposites
Word family
- micromanagement noun
- The act of controlling every small detail, often negatively.
- micromanager noun
- A person who micromanages.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'micromanage' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Micromanage means to control small details of work, so checking every sentence fits. The other options use it with unrelated meanings like going somewhere, being sick, or making food.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “micromanage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.