boss around
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To act bossy — to keep telling other people what to do as if you're in charge of them.
Literal meaning: To act as a boss to those around you — exercising inappropriate authority over the people in your vicinity.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To frequently and overbearingly tell others what to do, often without having the authority to do so.
"Stop bossing your little brother around — you're not his parent."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common in American and international English. Carries a clear sense of disapproval — the person doing the bossing is overstepping their role or being unreasonably controlling. Frequently used by children and adults alike to complain about controlling behaviour. The British equivalent is 'boss about'.
Commonly used with
everyone employees kids siblings teammates people
Forms
Base
boss around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bosses around
he/she/it
Past simple
bossed around
yesterday
Past participle
bossed around
have + pp
-ing form
bossing around
continuous
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