Influence shapes our decisions, beliefs, and interactions. This blog post explores twenty idioms that encapsulate various aspects of influence, providing a glimpse into how language reflects power dynamics and persuasive forces in everyday communication.
1. Call the shots
Meaning: Make decisions
Example: She calls the shots in their team.
2. Pull strings
Meaning: Use influence secretly
Example: He pulled strings to get that job.
3. Twist someone’s arm
Meaning: Persuade forcefully
Example: He twisted my arm to agree.
4. Have the upper hand
Meaning: Have an advantage
Example: She always has the upper hand.
5. Rule the roost
Meaning: Control a group
Example: He rules the roost at home.
6. Move mountains
Meaning: Achieve the impossible
Example: Her speech can move mountains.
7. Make waves
Meaning: Cause significant impact
Example: That announcement made waves.
8. Carry weight
Meaning: Have influence
Example: His opinion carries weight here.
9. Throw one’s weight around
Meaning: Use influence arrogantly
Example: She throws her weight around.
10. Hold sway
Meaning: Have great influence
Example: He holds sway over the council.
11. Pull rank
Meaning: Use one’s superior position
Example: She pulled rank to decide.
12. The power behind the throne
Meaning: Influential without formal role
Example: He’s the power behind the throne.
13. Have someone’s ear
Meaning: Be listened to
Example: She has the manager’s ear.
14. Wear the pants
Meaning: Be the decision maker
Example: In their house, she wears the pants.
15. Play puppet master
Meaning: Control others indirectly
Example: He plays puppet master at work.
16. Set the tone
Meaning: Establish a standard
Example: The leader sets the tone.
17. Have clout
Meaning: Have influence or power
Example: She has clout in the industry.
18. Grease the wheels
Meaning: Make things run smoothly
Example: He greased the wheels for us.
19. Bend the ear
Meaning: Persuade through talk
Example: He can bend any ear.
20. Call the tune
Meaning: Dictate terms
Example: They fund it, they call the tune.
