Definition:
Run the show, to - To take charge or assume responsibility. This phrase sprang forth from mid-nineteenth-century theater lingo and soon crossed over into any domain requiring leadership. Whether broadcasting your boldest dreams or orchestrating the mundane, to run the show means you’re in control.
Synonyms:
- Call the shots
- Take the helm
- Be at the wheel
- Lead the charge
- Captain the ship
Antonyms:
- Cede control
- Follow orders
- Play second fiddle
- Take a backseat
- Be a passenger
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Call the Shots - To be in control and decide how things should be done.
- Take the reins - Assume control or leadership in a situation.
- Be in the driver’s seat - To be in control of a situation.
- Wear the pants - To be the dominant partner or decision-maker.
- Hold the fort - To remain in charge, often while someone else is away or incapacitated.
Fanciful Fun Fact:
In theater jargon, the director literally “runs the show,” ensuring every actor hits their cue and every scene transitions seamlessly - essentially the haute couture fashion designer of the dramatic world.
Quotes:
- “Give me a backstage pass to my life; I want to run the show!” - F. Freewheeler
Literature & Pop Culture References:
- Room at the Top (1957) by John Braine - A penetrating novel set in post-war Britain, illustrating class struggle - and of course, asserting who really runs the show.
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - Both book and film showcase the power plays and who’s running the fashion show behind the scenes.
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson - Biography detailing how Jobs ran the show at Apple, shaping it into one of the most innovative companies globally.
Song References:
- “Running the Show” by Reduce to Ash - Perfect anthem celebrating taking the helm of your destiny.
- “Take Control” by Kodaline - The evocative track squarely about seizing the reins of your own narrative.
Movies:
- The Godfather (1972) - Iconic for phrases like “Calling the shots” with Vito and Michael Corleone who, indeed, run the show with an iron fist.
- Iron Man (2008) - Tony Stark isn’t just Iron Man, he runs his company like a dynamic showman.
🎭 Quizzes 🎬
### Who typically 'runs the show' in a theater production?
- [ ] The scriptwriter
- [ ] The actors
- [ ] The stagehands
- [x] The director
> **Explanation:** The director is usually the person running the show, managing the actors, the pacing, and the entire vision of the production.
### What other phrase means the same as 'run the show'?
- [x] Call the shots
- [ ] Break a leg
- [ ] Jump the gun
- [ ] Reach for the stars
> **Explanation:** "Call the shots" is a phrase that carries the same meaning as "run the show," implying one is in charge.
### True or False: 'Take a backseat' is a synonym for 'run the show'
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Take a backseat" is actually an antonym of "run the show," indicating acquiescence rather than leadership.
### In "The Devil Wears Prada," who 'runs the show' at Runway Magazine?
- [ ] Andrea Sachs
- [x] Miranda Priestly
- [ ] Emily Charlton
- [ ] Nigel Kipling
> **Explanation:** Miranda Priestly, famously portrayed by Meryl Streep, 'runs the show' at Runway Magazine, exerting her control with stylish yet steely precision.
### Which of these expressions means someone else is in control?
- [ ] Wearing the pants
- [ ] Sitting in the driver’s seat
- [x] Playing second fiddle
- [ ] Taking the helm
> **Explanation:** "Playing second fiddle" means to be in a supporting or subordinate role, indicating someone else is calling the shots.
May the spotlight always find your reds as fierce as your passions, for only then will you truly “run the show” with grace and savvy.
Warm Witty Regards,
M.C. Jester 🌟
