Rule the roost -- taking strides to do it? (4,3,8)
I believe the answer is:
wear the trousers
'roost taking strides to do it?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'rule the' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'rule' could be 'r' (abbreviation for rule) and 'r' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'the' is 'het' which is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wear the trousers that I've seen before include "show some leadership?" , "dominate partner?" , "Chair being rough might do this" , "Dominate the union" , "Lead" .)