boss about
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To act in a bossy manner toward (another person), ordering them to do things, whether or not one is actually their superior.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “boss about” mean?
To act in a bossy manner toward (another person), ordering them to do things, whether or not one is actually their superior.
Is “boss about” formal or informal?
boss about is generally informal.