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| boss [ bawss, boss ] |
noun (plural boss·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. somebody in charge: somebody who is in charge of others, especially in a work environment
  asked the boss for some time off
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2. somebody dominant: the dominant partner in a relationship or the dominant member of a group, who tends to make decisions and give instructions
(
informal
)
(
often ironic
)
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3. powerful politician: a politician who exerts a controlling influence, e.g. by applying pressure on others to vote in a particular way
(
informal
)
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transitive verb (past and past participle bossed, present participle boss·ing, 3rd person present singular boss·es) |
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| Definition: |
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give somebody orders: to give somebody orders in an authoritarian way that is often resisted or resented
You find the big kids trying to boss the little kids around.
The big kids try to boss the little ones.
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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excellent: so good as to dominate in a group
(
dated slang
)
a boss drummer
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| [Early 19th century. < Dutch baas "master"] |
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be your own boss
1. to work under your own authority, e.g. with freelance or self-employed status
2. to make decisions relating to your own life, instead of having them dictated by others
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