PhrasesHub

Wear the trousers

    Definitions

      • have control or dominance
        To be the one who makes the decisions and has the most power in a relationship or situation

      • be assertive or dominant
        To be the more dominant or assertive person in a relationship or situation

    Examples of Wear the trousers

    • In their relationship, Sarah wears the trousers.

      Sarah is the one who takes charge and makes important decisions for the both of them. The phrase "wears the trousers" is a colloquial way of saying that she is the dominant partner in the relationship.

    • After her husband became ill, Linda had to wear the trousers in their marriage.

      Linda had to take over the roles traditionally assigned to her husband, such as managing finances, making decisions, and handling household matters. This clearly shows that she became the more authoritative and responsible partner in their marriage.

    • In their sales team, Emily definitely wears the trousers.

      Emily is the leading and most successful salesperson in the team. She is the one who sets the direction, makes the big sales, and has the final say in important decisions. Her dominant position is represented by "wearing the trousers" in the team.

    • The new boss, Andrew, wears the trousers in our office.

      Andrew is the person in charge and has the ultimate authority in the workplace. He makes the major decisions, sets the policies, and leads the team. His position is symbolized as "wearing the trousers" in the office.

    • In their relationship, Sarah wears the trousers.

      This idiom is often used to describe a situation where one person in a relationship, usually the female, takes on a more dominant role. In this case, Sarah is the one who makes most of the important decisions in the relationship and establishes a strong leadership role.

    • Jane's husband is no longer wearing the trousers in their marriage.

      This example suggests that there was a time when Jane's husband had a dominant role in their relationship, but that has changed. Now, Jane is the one making decisions and calling the shots, leaving her husband in a less authoritative position.

    • The committee has decided to wear the trousers in this project.

      This example is used metaphorically to describe a situation where a group of people take charge and make important decisions. The phrase "wear the trousers" is used to convey the idea that this group is being assertive and proactive in their approach to the project.

    • It's time for you to start wearing the trousers in your relationship.

      This expression is often used to give encouragement to someone who is in a less dominant role in their relationship. It suggests that the person being addressed should start making decisions and taking charge, rather than waiting for their partner to do so. The use of the phrase "wear the trousers" implies that they will become more authoritative and assertive.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "wear the trousers" is used to indicate the person who has control or dominance in a relationship or situation. It can also imply being assertive or dominant. In both cases, it signifies being in a position of power or authority.

    Origin of "Wear the trousers"

    The origin of the idiom "wear the trousers" can be traced back to a time when trousers were predominantly worn by men, and it was a symbol of authority and control. In traditional gender roles, men were seen as the decision-makers and the ones in charge, while women were expected to be submissive. Therefore, the idiom likely originated from this societal context, where "wearing the trousers" represented being the dominant figure in a relationship.

    As gender roles and expectations have evolved, the idiom has also adapted to reflect a more equal distribution of power and authority in relationships. It is now used more broadly to describe anyone, regardless of gender, who holds the dominant position in a partnership or situation.