throw (one's) weight around
To assert oneself in a controlling, domineering, or authoritarian manner; to exercise one's position of authority, power, or influence, especially to an overbearing or excessive degree. I'm sick of Don coming into these meetings and throwing his weight around. Can't he just leave us to our own devices? You can expect the big industries to throw their weight around in order to influence the regulations.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
throw one's weight around
Fig. to attempt to boss people around; to give orders. The district manager came to our office and tried to throw his weight around, but no one paid any attention to him. Don't try to throw your weight around in this office. We know who our boss is.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
throw one's weight around
Wield power or authority, especially in a heavy-handed way. For example, One doesn't make oneself popular by throwing one's weight around. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
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.
throw one’s weight around
tv. to show off one’s importance or power; to use one’s rank or station to advantage. The vice president was throwing his weight around, but that had little effect on anything.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
throw (one's) weight around
Slang To use power or authority, especially in an excessive or heavy-handed way.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
throw one's weight around, to
To use one’s wealth or standing to manipulate others; to act officiously. This expression dates from the early twentieth century and uses weight in the sense of “authority.” John P. Marquand had it in H. M. Pulham, Esquire (1941): “Bo-jo was a bastard, a big bastard. Perhaps he meant that Bo-jo sometimes threw his weight around.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer