Wear the pants Meaning in English
expression
WAIR-thuh-PANTS
WAIR-thuh-PAHNTZ
Definition
To be the person who has control or makes the important decisions in a relationship or family, usually between partners.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often playful, sometimes used stereotypically about gender roles. Can apply to any couple or family, regardless of gender. Used as 'wear the pants in the relationship/marriage.'
Spanish: llevar los pantalones (en la relación)Portuguese (BR): mandar na relação - usar as calças (expressão idiomática)Portuguese (PT): mandar na relação - usar as calças (expressão idiomática)Chinese (Simplified): 主导家庭 - 当家作主Chinese (Traditional): 主導家庭 - 當家作主Hindi: घर में हुक़ूमत करना - परिवार का प्रमुख होनाArabic: يسيطر (على العلاقة) - يتحكم في المنزلBengali: ক্ষমতা রাখা - সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া (সম্পর্কে)Russian: быть главным - принимать решения (в семье)Japanese: 主導権を握るVietnamese: nắm quyền chủ động - làm chủ (trong mối quan hệ)Korean: 주도권을 쥐다Turkish: söz sahibi olmak - ipleri elinde tutmakUrdu: حاوی کنٹرول ہونا - فیصلے کرنا (رشتے میں)Indonesian: memegang kendali - menjadi pihak yang menentukan
Example Sentences
In their marriage, it is clear that Maria wears the pants.
basic
Do you think Sam wears the pants in this relationship?
basic
Everyone knows who wears the pants at their house.
basic
He likes to think he wears the pants, but really, she's in charge.
natural
When it comes to big decisions, it's obvious who wears the pants.
natural
She doesn't mind letting her partner wear the pants most of the time.
natural