at the helm

In charge; acting as the leader of something. The phrase originated as a nautical term, meaning "in the position to steer a ship." Jack is at the helm, so I know they'll get this project done on time! Nancy has been at the helm of our department for so long that I can't imagine what it will be like once she retires! The coach has shown a lot of potential in his first season at the helm.

See also: helm

be at the helm

To be in charge; to be the leader (of something). The phrase originated as a nautical term, meaning "to steer a ship." Jack is at the helm, so I know they'll get this project done on time! Nancy has been at the helm of our department for so long that I can't imagine what it will be like once she retires! The coach has only been at the helm for one season, but he's shown a lot of potential.

See also: helm

take the helm

To take charge; to become or assume the role of the leader (of something). The phrase originated as a nautical term, meaning "to steer a ship." Jack has taken the helm, so I know they'll get this project done on time! Nancy took the helm of our department so long ago that I can't imagine what it will be like once she retires!

at the helm (of something)

Fig. in the position of being in control of something. The president is at the helm of the company. Things will go well with Anne at the helm.

See also: helm

at the helm

In charge, in command, as in With Charles at the helm, the company is bound to prosper. This phrase transfers the idea of steering a ship to directing other enterprises. [Early 1500s] Also see the synonym at the wheel.

See also: helm

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

at the ˈhelm/ˈtiller

in control of an organization, etc: The company began to make profits again with the new managing director at the helm.

A helm or a tiller is used for controlling the direction of a ship or a boat.

take (over) the ˈhelm

take control of an organization, etc. from another person: When Mr Davies retired, his daughter took the helm.