at/behind the wheel
at the wheel
1. Literally, driving a vehicle (and thus sitting at the steering wheel). Don't worry, Katie's at the wheel, and she is very good at driving in the snow. I'm so excited to finally be at the wheel of my own car! Nothing makes me more nervous than envisioning my teen son at the wheel.
2. By extension, in charge; acting as the leader (of something). Jack is at the wheel, so I know they'll get this project done on time! With the company's president making a series of brilliant decisions, it seems they finally have a firm hand at the wheel. The coach has shown a lot of potential in his first season at the wheel.
See also: wheel
behind the wheel
1. Driving a vehicle (and thus literally sitting behind the steering wheel). Don't worry, Katie's behind the wheel, and she hasn't been drinking tonight. I'm so excited to finally be behind the wheel of my own car! A few years ago, I couldn't even get behind the wheel without having panic attacks, but, with practice, I'm much calmer these days.
2. In charge. With Jim behind the wheel, I'm not sure this team will have the leadership it needs. If my no-account brother is behind the wheel, I guarantee that the company will be in a sorry state in no time. Who's behind the wheel around here while Carrie's out on maternity leave?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
at the wheel
1. operating the wheel that turns a ship's rudder; at the helm. The cabin boy was at the wheel with the captain close by.
2. operating the steering wheel of a car. Bobby was at the wheel when the car went off the road.
See also: wheel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
at the wheel
In command, in control. For example, Ann hated being told what to do; she wanted to be at the wheel by herself. The analogy here is to the steering wheel of an automobile or other vehicle, or the helm of a vessel. For a synonym, see at the helm.
See also: wheel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
at/behind the ˈwheel (of something)
driving a car: Who was at the wheel when the car crashed? Wheel in this phrase refers to the steering wheel of a car.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017