Meaning of Idiom ‘Call the Shots’
To call the shots means to be in charge or in control; to make the important decisions; or to have authority. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.,2Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.,3Henry, Jean. How to Play the Game: American English Sports & Games Idioms. AuthorHouse, 2004.
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Examples of Use
“Everybody can’t be in charge,” said Frank.”Someone has to call the shots.”
“Who’s calling the shots around here?” asked the new worker.
“You’re calling the shots.” “Yes.” “I want you to look and I want you to listen. Okay?” — Se7en (1995)
“The LAPD is not calling the shots down here anymore.” “The Feds?” “You got it.” — Die Hard (1988)
“We’re not holding any cards. They got ’em all, so they call the shots.” — Fargo (1996)
“See, you think I got options. I got to answer to the Chief of D’s. Darius is calling the shots on this. That’s it.” “Hey, Sarge.” “What’d he say? – That’s it.” — Inside Man (2006)
“This is the first time in 18 years I’m going to be able to call the shots in my own life.” — The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
“I don’t know. Tell me what’s happening here.” “Ask your girlfriend. She’s the one calling all the shots now.” — National Treasure (2004)
Origin
This idiom has been in use since the mid-1900’s. It may come from pool playing or billiards, where to call a shot means to say where you are going to hit the ball. The expression may also come from target practice, where a shooter or archer might say what part of a target they are going to hit. 3
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