hold the balance of power
Definition
› to be able to support either opposing side in a competition, etc. and therefore be able to decide who will win: If the independents do end up holding the balance of power, then they decide whether Labor or the Liberals govern the state for the next four years.Controlling and being in charge
(Definition of hold the balance of power from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- assume verb (TAKE CONTROL)
- assumption noun
- authoritative adjective
- be (like) putty in sb's hands idiom
- be in the driving seat idiom
- commanding adjective (WITH AUTHORITY)
- cynical adjective
- dictate verb (GIVE ORDERS)
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- high-handed adjective
- play God idiom
- police verb
- possess verb (CONTROL)
- predominate verb
- preside verb
- rein sth in phrasal verb (ACTIVITY)
- skipper verb
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