# boss about

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/boss-about
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to tell someone what to do in an annoying way, especially when you do not have the right to give them orders.

For teachers: to give orders to someone in a domineering or overbearing manner; implies an abuse of authority or an irritating display of superiority.

## Examples

- Stop trying to boss me about.
- She was tired of her older brother always trying to boss her about whenever their parents were out.
- The junior manager was widely disliked for his tendency to boss about his colleagues, despite having no formal authority over their daily tasks.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bosses about me." but "He bosses me about." — when the object is a pronoun like 'me', it must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- often used in the continuous form or with 'try to' to express annoyance.
- Teaching tip: this is a more informal and British-leaning alternative to 'boss around'; both versions are common, but 'about' is frequently used in UK English to suggest aimless or repetitive behavior.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.