driver's seat

plural driver's seats

1. USThe seat in a vehicle where the driver sits.

   Synonyms: driving seat

2. USfigurativelyA position of control or dominance.

   in the driver's seat

   2 more examples

   The veteran-laden Rams (12-4) are in the driver’s seat to win the N.F.C. West. Los Angeles will take the prize with a win against the 49ers at home or a loss by the Cardinals (11-5) to the Seahawks.

   2022 January 4, Victor Mather, “N.F.L.’s Week 18 Will Sort Playoff Berths”, in The New York Times

   That can increase efficiency (when the suggestion is indeed what you had in mind) and spark new ideas (when the suggestion isn’t quite what you had in mind), while keeping the human user in the driver’s seat.

   2025 June 24, Tim Wu, “A.I. Doesn’t Have to Mean a ‘White-Collar Blood Bath’ of Job Loss”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: driving seat