catbird seat
Enviable strategic advantage
Catbird seat means a position of advantage or control—a place from which you can't lose.
The phrase evokes a bird perched high and safe, surveying everything below.
It gained wide currency through James Thurber's 1942 short story "The Catbird Seat," though it originated in Southern American speech: With three aces, he was sitting in the catbird seat.
Authority to direct
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- masteryComplete skill or control
ascendancy · preeminence · superiority · dominion · power position · top dog · king of the hill · throne
Position of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pole positionFrontmost starting spot
- head startBeginning advantage given
lead · trump card · high ground · vantage point · winning position · inside track · front runner · sweet spot
control
Authority to direct
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- supremacyHighest rank or power
mastery · ascendancy · preeminence · superiority · dominion · power position · top dog · king of the hill · throne · perch
upper hand
Position of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pole positionFrontmost starting spot
head start · lead · trump card · high ground · vantage point · winning position · inside track · front runner · sweet spot
privileged
Having special advantages
fortunate · blessed · favored · envied · coveted · sitting pretty
- power metaphorsiron fist, iron grip, reins, puppet master, pulling strings
catbird seathot seat
Position under heavy scrutiny
losing position · dire straits · tight spot · behind the eight ball · back against the wall
catbird seathot seat
Position under heavy scrutiny
pressure cooker · firing line · chopping block · crosshairs · spotlight
catbird seathot seat
Position under heavy scrutiny
losing position · underdog · behind the eight ball · on the ropes · in dire straits
bird, cats, catlike, catty, catnip, catfish, birds, birdie, birdies