In generalized sense. In more comprehensive sense: Rules or injunctions that must be obeyed. to give (the) law (to): to exercise undisputed sway…

Of a person: to hold or exercise the sovereign power or authority in a monarchical state; to rule or… intransitive. Without prepositional complement…

to rule the roast: to have full sway or authority; to be master. Cf. to rule the roost at roost, n.1 phrases 2.

to bear (the) room: to be in office or authority; to have all the power. Obsolete.

figurative. to have, bear, carry, strike a (great,etc.) stroke: to have an influential or controlling share in an enterprise or action, to have…

to bear (†aor the) sway, etc. (also †to carry sway): to rule, govern; to hold the (highest) position in authority or power; to exercise…

to bear a (also the) rout and variants: to wield influence; to hold power or sway. Obsolete.

to bear the swing: to have full sway or control. Also (to have) swing and sway. Obsolete.

to rule the rout: to have full sway or authority; to have absolute power. Cf. to rule the roost at roost, n.1 phrases 2. Obsolete (historical in…

intransitive. To act the master. Also transitive with it. Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To have (authority, power, an obligation, etc.) as an inherent or essential characteristic; to involve (something) implicitly.

transitive. To establish, formulate definitely (a principle, rule); to prescribe (a course of action, limits, etc.).

to rule the roost: to be in control, to be dominant; = to rule the roast at roast, n. phrases 2a.

Phrases. to carry (also hold) (big) guns: to be in a position of strength or power; to have (also carry) the guns for: to have the ability for…