Idiom: wear the pants
Meaning
Idiom: wear the pants (trousers)
- to be the person who makes all of the decisions or is the dominant partner in a relationship
*Note: In British English the expression is wear the trousers.
Example sentences
— My grandma was a tiny little lady but she definitely wore the pants in her marriage.
— We finally broke up because both of us kept fighting over who would wear the pants in our relationship.
— Everyone thinks the director's so tough but his secretary wears the pants in their work relationship.
— I'm looking for a traditional relationship—where a man wears the pants at home.
— It's hard to tell who wears the pants in that relationship.
— I honestly hate conflict and arguing so I let my wife wear the pants, unless it's something I really object to.
— Men traditionally wore the pants in marriages partly because women could not work outside the home, which severely limited their influence.
— Our three-month old twins definitely wear the pants in our home!
Synonyms
- play first fiddle
- be in the driver's seat
- call the shots
- rule the roost
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