run the show

verb

To be the leader, to be in charge.

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Meanings

verbrun 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)

present singular third person runs the show · participle present running the show · past ran the show

  1. idiomaticTo be the leader, to be in charge.

    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.

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

    "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."

    1904, Sara Jeannette Duncan, The Imperialist

    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.

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

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
run the whole show
Cite this entry
APA

run the show. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20the%20show

MLA

“run the show.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20the%20show. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run the show,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20the%20show.

Source: run the show on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.