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Region: General | Usage example: As the senior architect, she gets to call the tune.

Call the tune

Meaning

Control the direction of a situation.

Usage

Used when one person makes the decisions.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Band leaders literally set the pace and tempo.

The metaphor came from 19th-century music halls.

Related Idioms

Call it a day

Decide to stop doing something, typically work, for the rest of the day.

Call the shots

Be the one who makes decisions.

Call it quits

Stop doing something.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.