hold the balance of power
to be able to support either opposing side in a competition, etc. and therefore be able to decide who will win:
If independents do end up holding the balance of power, then they decide whether Labor or the Liberals govern for the next four years.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Controlling and being in charge
- aggrandize
- assume
- assumption
- authoritative
- balance of power
- divide
- dominant
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have sth in hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- heel
- hook
- pull
- pull rank idiom
- pull the strings idiom
- putty
- regimentation
- rein
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