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CALL THE SHOTS

The idiom "call the shots" means to be in charge or to have authority over a situation. The person who calls the shots is in a position to tell others what to do. The directors call the shots and nothing happens without their say-so.



EXAMPLES

Who is calling the shots in this house?

Do what you're told. I'll call the shots.




HISTORY

The origins of the phrase “call the shots” are diverse, with supposed connections to military practices ancient and modern, billiards, hunting, and even the historical practice of floating logs down North American rivers. Additionally, there is a noteworthy association dating back to the early 1500s with the sport of curling, which originated in Scotland. In curling, the team leader, known as the “skip,” would “call” the shot for their player, specifying details such as distance, speed, and line.

In games like billiards, pool, or snooker, the player who “calls the shots” is the one who decides and announces which ball they intend to hit into a pocket. Over time, the phrase has evolved to be used more broadly in various contexts beyond sports. By the mid-20th century, “call the shots” had completely transitioned from a specific cue sports term to a metaphorical expression used to describe someone who is in control or making important decisions in any situation.

Another theory behind the origin of the idiom suggests that in whisky making, the initial stage of distillation yields undesirable compounds that evaporate before the desired ethanol emerges. These early, potentially harmful liquids are termed “foreshots,” while the end of the distillation run produces “aftershots,” which, though not poisonous, are also unsuitable for consumption. “Calling the shots” in distillation involves the skill of discerning which portions—foreshots or aftershots—to discard, ensuring only the desirable product is retained.

Linguists are not unanimous on whether this idiom originated in America, Great Britain, or any other part of the world.
  

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