[wear] the trousers
1
to be the one who makes important decisions and fully controls a relationship or family
- In their marriage, she clearly wears the trousers.
- Everyone knew who really wore the trousers in that family.
- In their relationship, he prefers not to wear the trousers.
- She wore the trousers when it came to financial decisions.
- Their mother always wore the trousers in family matters.