Call the tune Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɔɫ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈtun
KAWL thuh TOON
kˈɔːl/ /ðə, ði/ /tjˈuːn
KAWL thuh TYOON
Definition
To be the person who makes the important decisions and is in control of what happens.
Usage & Nuances
This idiom is informal and often used about people with authority in organizations, families, or groups. Common with verbs like 'who', e.g. 'He calls the tune at home.' Often carries a sense that others must follow this person's decisions.
Spanish: tener el control - mandar (figurado)Portuguese (BR): ditar as regras - mandar (no sentido figurado)Portuguese (PT): dar as ordens - ditar as regrasChinese (Simplified): 发号施令 - 主导Chinese (Traditional): 發號施令 - 主導Hindi: हुक्म चलाना - आदेश देना (रूपक में)Arabic: يتحكم في الأمور - يتحكم (بالمجاز)Bengali: হুকুম দেয় - নিয়ন্ত্রণ করেRussian: диктовать правила - быть главнымJapanese: 主導権を握る - 支配するVietnamese: làm chủ cuộc chơi - quyết định mọi việcKorean: 좌지우지하다 - 주도권을 쥐다Turkish: ipleri elinde tutmak - sözü geçmekUrdu: اصول طے کرنا - بات منواناIndonesian: memegang kendali - menentukan segalanya
Example Sentences
In this office, Mary calls the tune.
basic
Who calls the tune in your family?
basic
The manager calls the tune, so we have to follow her ideas.
basic
When it comes to big decisions, it's clear that Jeff calls the tune.
natural
She acts friendly, but everyone knows her husband calls the tune at home.
natural
At the end of the day, the person with the money calls the tune.
natural