“Calling the shots” means being in charge, making decisions for oneself and others. This can apply to family, work, and healthcare situations. It may stem from assertive personalities and is often associated with authority and expertise. The origin of the idiom is uncertain.
Calling the shots is an idiom that means to be in charge. This may involve taking control of situations at home or at work. Some people refer to this as taking control, being the boss, or showing authority. Being in charge often means making decisions not just for yourself, but for others involved.
Often when someone is elected to make crucial decisions for others, it can be said that he will decide. A good example of someone who might be the boss in a family is a parent or guardian who sets the rules for his or her children. This is done primarily for the protection and welfare of children, and also to establish a sense of order in a household. Being an authority figure or being responsible at home calling the shots means things move forward efficiently and safely. Parents rarely volunteer to let a child make the decisions that matter to them.
Many people simply enjoy taking the lead in a situation and prefer to be the person in charge. This may be due to the nature of his personality, as some people are more assertive than others. Often in a family with children, an older brother calls the shots. His brothers and sisters may see him as a negative trait and label him as a bully.
Another example of what it means to call the shots can be seen in a doctor-patient relationship. A patient making important decisions regarding his or her health care is calling the shots. His doctor makes suggestions based on his professional knowledge and experience, but in the end the patient may choose to set the tone when it comes to the lifestyle he chooses for himself.
At work, a supervisor often makes decisions about the decisions or rules that his subordinates must follow. When problems arise in a retail situation, one person often referred to as a team leader can implement a plan to correct the situation. In essence, calling the shots at work is referring to someone in authority. It acquires that authority through experience and expertise.
There is some speculation about the origin of the idiom that dictates the rules. The term may have originated in reference to someone participating in a shooting practice. The individual who uses a rifle to shoot his target can be perceived as the one in charge. Another speculation pertains to the game of billiards because the billiard player often calls the shots before he hits the ball.
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