throw one's weight around
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.
See also: around, throw, weight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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]
See also: around, throw, weight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
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.”
See also: throw, weight
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- push (one's) weight about
- push (one's) weight around
- throw (one's) weight about
- throw (one's) weight around
- throw one’s weight around
- throw weight around
- throw your weight about
- throw your weight about/around
- throw your weight around
- comfortable in (one's) own skin