run the show

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run the show (third-person singular simple present runs the show, present participle running the show, simple past ran the show, past participle run the show)

1. (idiomatic) To be the leader, to be in charge.
   • 1904, Sara Jeannette Duncan, The Imperialist:

     "Far's I can see. Young Alf's made up his mind to learn the dentist business, and the old folks are backin' him; so I don't see but I've got to stop on and run the show. Father's gettin' up in years now."

   • 2020 June 3, Christian Wolmar, “Unworkable policies cripple our beleagered railway”, in Rail, page 51:

     In any viable scenario of renationalisation, the idea was always to ensure that the railways were at arm's length from the Department, since it was recognised that allowing civil servants to run the show is always a bad idea.

   • 2023 August 7, Suzanne Wrack, “England beat Nigeria on penalties to reach Women’s World Cup quarter-finals”, in The Guardian‎:

     Nigeria had done their homework and were well organised. Halimatu Ayinde was exceptional in her marking of James, who had scored twice and provided three assists as she ran the show against China.