in charge

in charge — idiom

1. having the authority, control, or duty to manage a person, group, activity, or p

1.idiomB1
Definition

having the authority, control, or duty to manage a person, group, activity, or place

Example

Andrés was put in charge of the school's recycling programme.

passive: be put in charge of [something]

Who is in charge while the manager is away on leave?

question pattern: Who is in charge?

Common collocations
  • in charge of
  • the person in charge
  • put someone in charge
  • leave someone in charge
  • who is in charge
Synonyms
  • responsible

    broader; can apply to a single task without formal authority over others

  • in control

    emphasises having power rather than an assigned duty

  • at the helm

    more formal and figurative; often used for leadership of organisations

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be in charge (of + noun)

put + someone + in charge (of + noun)

leave + someone + in charge (of + noun)

the person/man/woman + in charge (of + noun)

Usage Note

When naming what someone manages, add 'of': 'She is in charge of the project.' Do not confuse with 'in the charge of', which reverses the relationship — 'The children are in the charge of their aunt' means the aunt is responsible, not the children.

Common Mistakes

The patient is in charge of the nurse.
The patient is in the charge of the nurse.
'in charge of' means you are the one responsible; 'in the charge of' means someone else is responsible for you.

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'charge' entered English from Old French 'charger' (to load, to burden), which came from Late Latin 'carricare' (to load a wagon). By the 14th century, 'charge' had developed the sense of 'responsibility' or 'duty entrusted to someone.' The phrase 'in charge' emerged in the 16th century, meaning 'in one's care or custody,' and by the 19th century had taken on the modern meaning of 'having authority or control.'