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Call the shots meaning: who makes the decisions? | English from movies
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Tutor . So for the , who
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Tutor the ?
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Tutor , Theo.
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Tutor Do you who ?
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Tutor say who .
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Tutor be in .
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Tutor 1. be in . It's , and in any .
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Tutor I call the shots.
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Tutor 2. I call the shots. It's , and who .
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Tutor .
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Tutor 3. . It's : up and .
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Tutor , Hana. You call the shots.
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Tutor one.
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Tutor , Theo. I the one.
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Tutor call the shots ? A or B.
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Tutor and for .
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
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Question 1
Your friend asks where to eat. You don't mind and want them to choose. What do you say?
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Question 2
Which line simply states who leads, in a neutral tone?
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Question 3
The team leader leaves suddenly and nobody is leading. Which line fits best?
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Question 4
What does "I call the shots" mean?
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Question 5
Which line could sound rude if you say it to your manager?
Quick answer
Call the shots: who makes the decisions?
"Call the shots" means to make the decisions. Say "I call the shots" when the choice is yours, or "You call the shots" when you give the decision to someone else. For a neutral fact, use "be in charge"; when someone starts leading because nobody else is, use "take charge."
Key words in this video
Tap any word to see what it means. Underlined words are the key words of this video.
Each line explained
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Elizabeth will be in charge. Neutral and clear
Use "be in charge" to say who leads or who is responsible for a person, group, or task. It works at work, at home, or anywhere, and it fits both formal and casual talk.
“Elizabeth will be in charge.”
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I call the shots. Casual and confident
Use it to say that you make the decisions. It sounds strong, so say it with a smile among friends. With a manager or client, it can sound bossy or rude.
“I call the shots.”
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Doris will take charge. Bold, act now
Use "take charge" when someone starts to lead or takes control of a situation. It describes taking action. "Be in charge" describes who already has responsibility.
“Doris will take charge.”
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It's your call. Friendly; lets someone else decide
Use it to give a decision to another person. It sounds polite and relaxed. Do not use it if you still want to choose yourself, because the other person will expect to decide.
“It's your call.”
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It's up to you. Neutral and open
Use it when the other person can decide and you have no strong opinion. It works in almost any situation. Said in a flat voice, it can sound like you don't care, so add a reason or a smile.
“It's up to you.”
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Who's in charge here? Direct question
Use it to find the person who can make a decision or fix a problem. Say it calmly. In an angry voice, it sounds like a complaint.
“Who's in charge here?”
Common mistakes
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Not quite
Who shoots the calls here?Better Who calls the shots here?
The words stay in a fixed order. You call (decide) the shots. Swapping them makes the phrase sound like nonsense, and Hana reacts to exactly this mistake in the Short.
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Not quite
I call the shot.Better I call the shots.
The idiom always uses the plural "shots." The singular form sounds wrong to native speakers, even though the meaning is clear.
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Not quite
Doris will take the charge.Better Doris will take charge.
"Take charge" and "be in charge" have no article. Adding "the" changes the meaning. "The charge" can mean a price or a legal accusation.
Aina · Tutor AI
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