dictate to (one)
dictate to (one)
1. To speak to one who will reproduce the message in a written document. In this usage, "dictate to" is a set phrase. I just finished dictating that memo to my secretary, and she is typing it up right now.
2. To exert control over someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dictate" and "to." Don't try to dictate the terms of this contract to me! I have a say in it, too, you know.
See also: dictate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
dictate (something) to someone
1. to speak out words to someone who writes them down; to speak words into a recording device to be written down later by someone. Walter dictated a letter to his secretary. Please come in so I can dictate to you.
2. to lay out or spell out the exact terms of something to someone; to act as a dictator. You can't dictate the rules to us. Please don't dictate to me.
See also: dictate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
dictate to
v.
1. To say or read something aloud to someone, especially for it to be written down or notated: The executive dictated the letter to the secretary.
2. To issue orders or commands to someone: The manager dictated the new company policy to the staff.
See also: dictate
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- dictate
- dictate to
- and the rest
- angry young man
- by the numbers
- call the shots/the tune
- call the tune
- piper
- reap what you sow
- you reap what you sow