show who's boss

verb2

1. •
   To demonstrate oneself to be dominant; to show that one has the upper hand.

   • When children are young, spanking is a familiar device to show who's boss. — 1975
2. •
   To demonstrate that one is dominant over or superior to someone; to establish that one has control of some device or intractable object.

   • "Bimeby I show yoh who's boss. I make yoh cry for Ramon be good to yoh!" — 1916