large and in charge - Glite Dictionary

Examples

I think I feel like I have to censor myself more on Facebook because of the "old people" (parents, aunts, uncles, friends' parents) that are on there. I do feel more free on Instagram and Twitter, but I think Facebook is still large and in charge.

Blog text (26)
In the board meeting, Mary was large and in charge, confidently presenting her ideas.
As the team leader, Jason was large and in charge, overseeing the project's success.
At the event, the mayor was large and in charge, making all the important announcements.

Synonyms

powerful

vslarge and in charge

∞ 3.0

Having great influence over people and events

stresses having authority plus responsibility rather than mere influence

commanding

vslarge and in charge

8 4.1

Having a strong presence that makes people pay attention

is about power plus responsibility shown in an assertive manner

big and bad

vslarge and in charge

Informal

1 6.8

Very large and so strong that it scares or impresses people

conveys assertive leadership with responsibility rather than only intimidation

dominant

vslarge and in charge

1 4.1

A person or thing that has the most power in a group

adds active responsibility and a commanding, assertive role to that power

dominating

vslarge and in charge

1 5.6

Trying to control other people in a forceful or unfair way

is assertive but framed as responsible authority rather than aggressive control

dominative

vslarge and in charge

8.7

Tending to control other people

emphasizes formal authority combined with responsibility and assertiveness

overdominant

vslarge and in charge

8.2

A person who controls others too much and does not let them speak

expresses assertive authority with responsibility, not excessive or uncontrolled dominance

Antonyms

powerless

138 3.6

Unable to do or stop something because you have no control

subordinate

21 4.8

Lower in rank or importance and under someone's control

How Powerful

powerful

∞ 3.0

large and in charge

Slang

1 7.8

Surface Forms

large and in charge positive

Morphology

large + and + in + charge

The element 'in charge' is transparent (meaning responsible or in control), so a learner who knows that phrase could infer the expression relates to authority; however 'large' here is used idiomatically to mean prominent/confident rather than literal size. The whole rhyming colloquial formula conveys an emphatic, slangy sense of being assertively in control that is not fully predictable from the parts, so partial knowledge of constituents helps but prior exposure is useful.

Etymology

Large and in charge probably comes from slang and music where large means important or strong and in charge means in control. One popular image is a big person standing at the front so everyone listens, which is why the phrase now means 'having power and authority'.