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Vocabulary: authority

It's not only the degree of that authority which is questioned, but also the nature of it... I did research and found there were several "kinds" of authority; I have found three... then six, even thirteen! and finally sixteen... Could it be more?    It doesn't matter, really... I'm not doing sociology... simply vocabulary! 

We're also dealing with "natural authority" and with "velvet-gloved authority", which are much more pleasant to my eyes and ears when considering  this ambivalent notion.

"An iron hand in a velvet glove"... (Bernadotte)

- To have the situation under control

- To boss somebody around

- To have the whip hand over somebody

- To throw one's weight around

- Under constraint

- To make somebody do something

- To force somebody to do something

- To compel somebody to do/ to oblige somebody to do

- To twist somebody's arm/ to put the arm on somebody

- To bring to heel: to force someone to behave in a disciplined manner

- To bulldoze (someone) into doing something: to force to do it, especially by being bullied or intimidated.

- Call the shots/ call the tune: make all the important decisions and is in control of the situation.

- Carry weight: influential or important.

- Too many chiefs, not enough Indians: too many people giving instructions and not enough people doing the work.

- Hold the reins: to be in complete control of a company, firm or organisation.

- Might is right: being the most powerful person or country gives you the right to do whatever you want.

- Top dog: better or more powerful than others

- Under your thumb: under your control or influence

- Gain/get the upper hand: take control over something

Yes, I know... There are many expressions to remember... but of course, you may feel free to learn only the ones you like...

The test isn't difficult and you will pass it with flying colours!

May THE FORCE be with you! 

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1. He spoke in such an authoritativeimperiousinfluentialI don't know voice that people thought he was very aggressive.



2. 'Don’t be worried, Tom is exercising overin charge ofunderI don't know the security of the transactions. Everything will be alright!'



3. 'In my previous company, I used to manageexercisepreside overI don't know several teams of assistants.'



4. I didn’t have to twist his armhold the reinsbulldoze himI don't know too much. He accepted the task quite easily.



5. As he is the big brother of the family, Paul presides overbosses aroundmanagesI don't know his younger brothers and sisters.



6. This manager was acting like a real dictatorauthoritarianaggressiveI don't know and kept shouting at every employee.



7. Frank is so stubborn that it’s impossible to bosspresidecompelI don't know him to do something if he has decided otherwise.



8. You need to make her obey in order to hold the reinsget upper handsbring her to heelI don't know so that she does what needs to be done.



9. Dad will never let me bring him to my heelboss aroundhold the reinsI don't know during his absence from home.



10. Tom thought he had held the reinspresidedgot the upper handI don't know over his opponent, but lost two consecutive sets and gave up.