boss around

boss (one) around

To tell one what to do. This phrase is often used to emphasize someone's behavior as controlling and/or unwarranted. You can't boss me around just because Mom isn't here! My friend at work got promoted, so now he thinks he can boss me around.
See also: around, boss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

boss someone around

to give orders to someone; to keep telling someone what to do. Stop bossing me around. I'm not your employee. Captain Smith bosses around the whole crew. That's his job.
See also: around, boss
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

boss around

Tell someone what to do, give orders. For example, David complained that his older sister was always bossing him around. The use of boss in the sense of "to dominate" dates from the mid-1800s, and around was added a few decades later.
See also: around, boss
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

boss around

v.
To give someone orders in a forceful and unpleasant way: My older brothers and sisters are always bossing me around. What gives you the right to boss around everyone on the playground?
See also: around, boss
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • boss (one) around
  • boss (one) about
  • order (one) around
  • order around
  • order someone about
  • order about
  • order (one) about
  • brag
  • brag about
  • brag about (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
THE Queen has joked that Princess Charlotte loves to boss around her older brother Prince George.
Queen: Little sister bosses George around a Lotte
Emirates Homes Real Estate Brokers and the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel have been contacted for comment, though EHREB commented on Arabian Business's Facebook page saying of Yadav, "He's a man with a big heart, he's not a boss around his staff but a real friend."
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Government servants around the world sometimes think they can ignore the public and not take responsibility for service delivery, customer complaints and worst -- boss around with the public.
Emirates Excellence Council the right step
But for tantrum-throwing singer Justin Bieber, a tattooed dude was just one of the many people in his recent firing line to boss around.
BIEBER HAS A TATTRUM; Justin hissy fit over body art costs
"The lads had to work hard to get through the next few days and it was strange for us all not having the boss around.
We've got to get on with our jobs - Connor
They boss around their dissolute uncle Luke Frugal, played by Jo Stone-Fewings, until he suddenly finds himself with the upper hand and plots his revenge.
IN PURSUIT OF BEAUTY; TheDailyReview THE CITY MADAM: Swan Theatre, Stratford, until October 4. Running time 2hrs 50mins
IT will be a case of poacher turned gamekeeper at Bramall Lane today when Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock gets to boss around top refs Uriah Rennie and Howard Webb ...
Sport Confidential: WARN0CK'S BIG BLOW-UP
KANSAS CITY were fading fast in the final weeks of the regular season and the Chiefs cannot expect to boss around the Colts in Sunday's AFC Divisional Play-off.
American Football: Chiefs' dodgy defence not up to the task
Admittedly Leicester suffered a bad end to last season's campaign but the people in power at Filbert Street must have conveniently forgotten how they were top of the Premiership under the same boss around this time last year.
SOMETHING FROM THE WEEKEND . . .; THE TERRACE BUZZ: PAUL DOVE weighs up the future of this season's first managerial casulaty Peter Taylor . .
And they are ready to pay the Newcastle United boss around pounds 3.5 million for a two-year contract.
JAPANESE WANT RUUD
Along the way Sir Alex Ferguson has set a few milestones like being the first PS1ma-year boss around 1998.
PICTURE PERFECT; Memorable images from English football's golden recent history
11 ( ANI ): A new telepresence robot, called "Double", can help you actually boss around in your office, while sitting in your bedroom.
'Telepresence' tool Double can 'virtually' let boss do the bossing in office
But now famous faces will take turns to boss around housemates, listen in the diary room, set tasks and dish out punishments.
Stars are the big mouths on BB; FIGHT TO THE FINISH AS STRICTLY WALTZES TO AN END IN TWO COUNTRIES
I don't boss around the make-up artist on EastEnders, but I do share my beauty tips with people.
Soap dishes; EastEnders has had another glam injection with the arrival of the four Slater sisters. The hard-talking girls look good, act tough and play by their own rules. Here, they share their beauty secrets with SARAH IVENS..
"Whatever happens the manager will be staying because I believe Ron Atkinson is the best boss around.
Sky Blue exodus