aSometimes, people use special phrases to talk about being strong or important. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “He has a lot of pull,” they don’t mean he is pulling something. It means he has power or can make things happen. Idioms like this help us talk about power in a fun and easy way.
In this article, we will learn about different idioms that describe people or things that are powerful. These idioms can be used in stories, at school, or even when talking with friends. Learning these idioms can help you understand more when people speak or write. Let’s explore some power phrases and what they really mean.
Idioms for Powerful
1. Hold all the cards
Meaning: To have control or power
Give an Instance: The teacher holds all the cards during the test. / My mom holds all the cards when we plan trips.
Substitute Meaning: Be in charge / Have the upper hand
2. Call the shots
Meaning: To be the one who makes decisions
Give an Instance: Coach calls the shots at basketball practice. / My sister thinks she calls the shots at home.
Substitute Meaning: Be the boss / Make the rules
3. Pack a punch
Meaning: To have a strong effect
Give an Instance: That speech packed a punch! / The new rule really packs a punch.
Substitute Meaning: Be powerful / Hit hard
4. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To be in a better or stronger position
Give an Instance: I had the upper hand in the game. / She had the upper hand in the argument.
Substitute Meaning: Have control / Be ahead
5. Rule the roost
Meaning: To be the boss at home or in a group
Give an Instance: My little brother thinks he rules the roost. / Grandma rules the roost in the kitchen.
Substitute Meaning: Be the leader / Be in charge
6. Pull strings
Meaning: To use influence to get something
Give an Instance: My uncle pulled some strings to get us tickets. / She pulled strings to join the team early.
Substitute Meaning: Use connections / Make things happen
7. Be in the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control
Give an Instance: During the group project, Ava was in the driver’s seat. / I like being in the driver’s seat when we play games.
Substitute Meaning: Be in charge / Lead the way
8. Top dog
Meaning: The most powerful or important person
Give an Instance: The principal is the top dog at school. / In the game, Jake became the top dog.
Substitute Meaning: Big boss / Number one
9. Have clout
Meaning: To have strong influence
Give an Instance: She has clout in student council. / My dad has clout at work.
Substitute Meaning: Have power / Be important
10. Run the show
Meaning: To be the one in charge
Give an Instance: Max ran the show during the science fair. / She runs the show in our group.
Substitute Meaning: Lead / Be in command
11. Lay down the law
Meaning: To tell others what they must do
Give an Instance: The teacher laid down the law about homework. / Dad laid down the law at dinner.
Substitute Meaning: Set the rules / Be strict
12. Hold sway
Meaning: To have strong influence
Give an Instance: Her ideas hold sway in class. / That song still holds sway with many kids.
Substitute Meaning: Be important / Be listened to
13. Have power over
Meaning: To control something or someone
Give an Instance: My cat has power over me at bedtime! / Teachers have power over the class.
Substitute Meaning: Be in charge / Control
14. Be the boss
Meaning: To be the person in control
Give an Instance: She acts like she’s the boss of everything. / He’s the boss of our lemonade stand.
Substitute Meaning: Leader / One in charge
15. Take the lead
Meaning: To begin or guide others
Give an Instance: Olivia took the lead in the race. / Liam took the lead on the project.
Substitute Meaning: Be first / Show the way
16. Run things
Meaning: To be in charge
Give an Instance: Mom runs things at home. / Our teacher runs things in the classroom.
Substitute Meaning: Lead / Be the main person
17. Be on top
Meaning: To be the best or most powerful
Give an Instance: They’re on top after winning the contest. / She stayed on top all year.
Substitute Meaning: Be number one / Be the winner
18. In command
Meaning: To be in control of a situation
Give an Instance: The firefighter was in command. / She stayed calm and in command.
Substitute Meaning: Be in charge / Handle things
19. Steer the ship
Meaning: To guide or lead a group
Give an Instance: He steers the ship in our club. / The teacher steers the ship in group work.
Substitute Meaning: Guide / Lead
20. Be a powerhouse
Meaning: To be very strong or full of energy
Give an Instance: That team is a powerhouse! / She’s a powerhouse in math.
Substitute Meaning: Strong person / Big force
21. Be the big cheese
Meaning: The most important person
Give an Instance: He’s the big cheese at the bakery. / She became the big cheese in the club.
Substitute Meaning: Main person / Head
22. Have it made
Meaning: To be in a great or powerful position
Give an Instance: With those grades, she has it made. / He has it made with his new bike.
Substitute Meaning: Be lucky / Be in a strong spot
23. Be the engine
Meaning: The one who keeps things moving
Give an Instance: She’s the engine of our group. / The coach is the engine behind the wins.
Substitute Meaning: Driving force / Main helper
24. Be a force
Meaning: To be powerful and noticed
Give an Instance: That player is a force on the field. / Her voice is a force in the choir.
Substitute Meaning: Strong person / Big deal
25. Have muscle
Meaning: To have power or strength
Give an Instance: He has muscle in the debate club. / This rule has real muscle.
Substitute Meaning: Power / Strength
26. Be iron-fisted
Meaning: To be strict or very controlling
Give an Instance: She rules the team with an iron fist. / That group is iron-fisted.
Substitute Meaning: Very strict / Strong control
27. Pull rank
Meaning: To use power to get your way
Give an Instance: He pulled rank to go first. / She pulled rank to skip the line.
Substitute Meaning: Use authority / Act important
28. Crack the whip
Meaning: To push people to work hard
Give an Instance: Coach cracked the whip at practice. / Mom cracked the whip on chores.
Substitute Meaning: Be tough / Demand work
29. Be loaded
Meaning: To have a lot of power or money
Give an Instance: That company is loaded. / He’s loaded with cool gear.
Substitute Meaning: Full of power / Rich
30. Rule with an iron hand
Meaning: To lead in a very strict way
Give an Instance: The boss ruled with an iron hand. / The captain ruled with an iron hand.
Substitute Meaning: Be very strict / Strong leader
31. Have pull
Meaning: To have influence
Give an Instance: She has pull in student council. / He has pull at his job.
Substitute Meaning: Be respected / Have sway
32. Be the kingpin
Meaning: The most important person in a group
Give an Instance: He’s the kingpin of the chess team. / She’s the kingpin of the story.
Substitute Meaning: Main person / Leader
33. Rule the day
Meaning: To be the most powerful or successful
Give an Instance: Kindness ruled the day at school. / Teamwork ruled the day at camp.
Substitute Meaning: Be in charge / Be the best
34. Wear the crown
Meaning: To be in the top position
Give an Instance: She wore the crown in the spelling bee. / He wore the crown after the race.
Substitute Meaning: Be champion / Top person
35. Be a heavy hitter
Meaning: A person with a lot of power
Give an Instance: He’s a heavy hitter in sports. / She’s a heavy hitter in math.
Substitute Meaning: Big name / Strong player
36. Have firepower
Meaning: Have strong energy or support
Give an Instance: That team has real firepower. / Our plan has firepower now.
Substitute Meaning: Strength / Backup
37. Be high and mighty
Meaning: Acting very powerful or proud
Give an Instance: He walked in all high and mighty. / She’s acting high and mighty again.
Substitute Meaning: Bossy / Full of pride
38. Be well-connected
Meaning: Know many important people
Give an Instance: She’s well-connected at school. / He’s well-connected in town.
Substitute Meaning: Has contacts / Knows people
39. Rise to power
Meaning: To become powerful
Give an Instance: She rose to power in the club. / He rose to power in student council.
Substitute Meaning: Gain control / Become leader
40. Be in high places
Meaning: Have powerful friends
Give an Instance: He has friends in high places. / She knows people in high places.
Substitute Meaning: Know important people / Be connected
41. Have the floor
Meaning: To be the one speaking or leading
Give an Instance: She had the floor during the meeting. / I had the floor to share my idea.
Substitute Meaning: In charge of speaking / Be heard
42. Be the backbone
Meaning: Be the most important part
Give an Instance: She’s the backbone of our team. / He’s the backbone of our project.
Substitute Meaning: Main support / Strong base
43. Throw weight around
Meaning: To use your power too much
Give an Instance: He throws his weight around at recess. / She throws her weight around in class.
Substitute Meaning: Act bossy / Use power
44. Be the top banana
Meaning: The leader or most important one
Give an Instance: She’s the top banana in the play. / He’s the top banana at the party.
Substitute Meaning: Head / Main one
45. Be in full control
Meaning: To have all the power
Give an Instance: The pilot was in full control. / Mom was in full control of the weekend.
Substitute Meaning: Total power / Be in charge
Find the “Idioms for Powerful”
Reading Passage
Last Friday, the fifth-grade student council held a meeting to plan the school talent show. Mia was in the driver’s seat from the start. She had the floor and quickly took the lead, sharing her plan with the group. Everyone listened because she’s known as the top dog when it comes to school events.
Liam, the class president, also wanted to run the show, but Mia pulled rank and reminded him that this was her idea. Ava, who always has clout with the teachers, helped Mia convince everyone. Jake, usually quiet, surprised the group when he shared his strong ideas he was suddenly a real powerhouse.
During the discussion, Mia laid down the law about practice times. “We need to be on time,” she said. “No excuses.” The others agreed. “She sure knows how to crack the whip,” someone whispered.
By the end of the meeting, Mia had steered the ship perfectly. The plan was set, and everyone left feeling ready. It was clear Mia ran the show.
Instructions for Students
Read the passage again. Underline or list all the idioms for powerful that you can find.
Answer Key
- In the driver’s seat
- Had the floor
- Took the lead
- Top dog
- Pulled rank
- Has clout
- Powerhouse
- Laid down the law
- Crack the whip
- Steered the ship
- Ran the show
Conclusion
Idioms about power help us talk about people who are strong, in charge, or full of energy. These phrases are easy to remember and fun to use. When you say someone “runs the show” or “calls the shots,” it paints a picture that everyone understands.
Learning these idioms helps you speak and write in more interesting ways. You can find them in books, shows, and even at school. The more you hear and use them, the more natural they’ll feel. Keep practicing and you’ll start spotting these power phrases everywhere.
