Boss around Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɑs/, /ˈbɔs/ /ɝˈaʊn/, /ɝˈaʊnd
BAWS-uh-ROWND
bˈɒs/ /ɐɹˈaʊnd
BOSS-uh-ROWND
Definition
To tell someone what to do in a commanding or controlling way, often without real authority.
Usage & Nuances
'Boss around' is informal and often negative, suggesting annoyance. It can refer to anyone acting controlling, not just actual bosses. Collocates with 'kids', 'siblings', or 'someone'. Typically, use with a person as object: 'Don’t boss me around.'
Spanish: mandonear - dar órdenesPortuguese (BR): mandar em - dar ordensPortuguese (PT): mandar em - dar ordensChinese (Simplified): 发号施令 - 对…颐指气使Chinese (Traditional): 發號施令 - 對…頤指氣使Hindi: हुक्म चलाना - आदेश देनाArabic: يتسلط على - يأمر كثيراًBengali: হুকুম চালানো - দাদাগিরি করাRussian: приказывать - командоватьJapanese: 偉そうに指図する - 偉そうに命令するVietnamese: ra lệnh - sai khiếnKorean: 명령하다 - 갑질하다Turkish: emirler yağdırmak - buyurganlık yapmakUrdu: حکم چلانا - روب جماناIndonesian: memerintah seenaknya - bersikap bossy
Example Sentences
Nobody likes to be bossed around at work.
basic
Why do you always try to boss around your little brother?
basic
Stop trying to boss me around. I can do it myself!
natural
She loves to boss around at meetings, even though she’s not the manager.
natural
My sister likes to boss around her friends.
basic
If you keep bossing people around, they’ll stop listening to you.
natural