to rule the roost
3
6.3
- idiom
- Informal
:
llevar la voz cantante
- As the team leader, she definitely rules the roost during meetings, making all the key decisions.
- still rules the roost
Not like in the old days when objective reason was ruling the roost.
- Not like in the old days when objective reason was ruling the roost.
Examples
-
This is the Franklin ranch here, and I rule the roost.
-
No answers to the questions and the DUP appear to be ruling the roost and telling her what to do.
-
If she cannot do this, there will be continued problems regarding who is to "rule the roost."
Academic text (1990) -
The difference is that some allow one or the other to more or less completely rule the roost.
Blog text (15) -
Do they rule the roost?
Blog text (15) -
We know, those days... the parents ruled the roost, didn't they?
-
Mick ruled the roost as far as what they were going to play and the fact that he could write music and Brian couldn't.
-
While five of the six sitcoms put up uninspiring numbers, CBS dramas ruled the roost.
Blog text (10) -
Power and authority under the Indian Act are vested in the office, and whoever gets into office gets to rule the roost, insofar as is allowed by Indian Affairs.
Fiction book (2002) -
Ada, once our most docile chick, has become quite an aggressive little lady, competing with Rosie to rule the roost.
Blog text (1)
Synonyms
465
2.9
To be in charge of a group or organization
99
4.2
To be in control and make the important decisions
79
3.2
To start guiding a group or activity and make the main decisions
48
3.7
To rise above a place and be clearly visible from around it
23
4.2
To be in charge of people or a place
12
4.4
To lead an organization, group, or project
9
6.6
To have power over people or situations
3
7.0
To have control and make the main decisions
3
4.9
To be in control of a group or business
Antonyms
How Dominant
275
3.7
- Informal
99
4.2
- Informal
3
6.3
98
3.5
∞
1.0
46
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
rule + the + roost
The verb 'rule' clearly conveys control and 'roost' (a bird's perch or home) can be metaphorically read as one's domain, so a learner who knows both words could plausibly infer 'be in control'. However, the mapping from a bird's 'roost' to a human sphere of authority is idiomatic and culturally conditioned, so the meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
Rule the roost may come from farm life, where a loud rooster stands on the roost, the place where chickens sleep, and rules the other birds. So the picture of that bossy bird helps explain why the phrase means 'to be in control'.