|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Power is intoxicating. And who would know that better than politicians. Or, in this case, students of the English language. Today we discuss some of the idioms that are related to power and authority. Run the show: be in charge of an organisation or activity. She joined the company just six months ago and now she is virtually running the show. Call the shots: make all the important decisions and have the most power is a situation. Even though Mr Bajaj owns the advertising agency where I work, we all know that it is his wife who calls the shots. Set the agenda: decide what subjects other people should deal with in a way that shows you have more authority than them. At the beginning of every meeting, the chairperson sets the agenda for the discussions. Have the upper hand: have a position of power and control over someone else. From the beginning of the match the rival team has had the upper hand. Throw your weight around: behave in a way that shows you are more important and powerful than other people. Ever since he has become the class monitor he has started throwing his weight around. Flex your muscles: take some action to show people how powerful you are. Election campaigns give politicians of all hues an occasion to flex their muscles. The powers that be: people who control things but are not known. I have done the best I could, now it is up to the powers that be to decide whether I deserve a promotion. The movers and shakers: people who have a lot of power and influence. It is essential for any wannabe writer to know the movers and shakers in the publishing world. Bow and scrape: try too hard to please someone in a position of authority. In is maiden speech, the new CEO made it clear that bowing and scraping before him would not do anyone any good. Do someone’s bidding: do what someone tells or asks you to do. I broke up with my boyfriend when I realised that he expected me to do his bidding all the time. Lick someone’s boots: try too hard to please someone important. New entrants in the film industry are willing to lick the directors’ boots just to get a role in a film. Exercise Complete the following sentences: Rita is number two in the company. She`85 show whenever the boss is on leave. Once Sharat gets a promotion he will boss over the rest of us. We all know he loves to `85around. Mira doesn’t like any challenge to her authority. She always wants to be the one to`85shots. All his friends know that he is henpecked. His wife has`85hand at home. We have made our position known. Now it is up to the powers`85to take the final decision. The way government officials are willing to`85before their political masters is disgusting. Now that the Congress has come to power, it is time for its leaders to`85agenda for the next five years. (Reference: Cambridge
International Dictionary of Idioms) |
