to exercise control over everything, be the boss
X командует парадом — X runs the (whole) show
X is in charge
X calls the shots
(of a woman who controls her husband and makes all the decisions) X wears the pants (in the family).
Сильной личностью считалась мать, командовала парадом она, властная, категоричная, неуступчивая... (Рыбаков 1). Mother seemed to have the stronger personality, she was the one in charge, authoritative, assertive, unyielding... (1a).
From The Golden Calf («Золотой телёнок»), by Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov, 1931, ch. 2.
Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА. С.И. Лубенская. 2004.