English Reference
Idiom idiom

take the wheel


To assume control of a situation.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“I am tired, so please take the wheel.”

CONTEXTUAL

“The project manager had to take the wheel when the team started missing their deadlines.”

COMPLEX

“After the sudden resignation of the director, the vice president was forced to take the wheel and guide the company through the crisis.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    big wheel

    A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.

  3. 03

    break the wheel

    To end a pattern of oppression, inequality, injustice, or abuse.

  4. 04

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  5. 05

    fifth wheel

    Anything superfluous or unnecessary.

  6. 06

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  7. 07

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  8. 08

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

Last updated August 10, 2026