PLAY FIRST FIDDLE To have a leading, commanding, or controll | Phrasal Verbs Idioms

PLAY FIRST FIDDLE
To have a leading, commanding, or controlling role, position, or part.

Ever since the power shift in Congress, Senator Smith has been playing first fiddle in the agenda for tax reforms.
In his eyes father plays first fiddle in the family
Though she's had many small parts in a variety of films, this is the first movie that sees Ms. Warren playing first fiddle.