cock of the walk
Dominant strutting figure
A cock of the walk is a person who dominates a group or situation, often with swagger or arrogance.
The phrase comes from the rooster who rules the barnyard.
It typically describes someone who acts like they're in charge, whether or not they actually are: He strutted around the office like the cock of the walk.
- peacockOrnate pheasant relative
- headmanLeader of a community
- top dogDominant leader
- big fish in a small pondProminent in insignificant setting
- big man on campusProminent college student
vanity · foreman · chieftain · leader · pecking order · king of the hill · crowing · commander · preening · ruler · hierarchy · swagger · chest out · puffed up · bantam · boastfulness · pomposity · cockfight
- bird expressionsearly bird, birdbrain, bird brain, lovebirds, jailbird
- showoffsshowoff, show-off, braggart, bragger, boaster
cock of the walkunderdog
Presumed loser beforehand
subordinate · underling · nobody · runt of the litter · doormat
cock of the walkshrinking violet
Extremely timid person
wallflower · meek · timid · mousy · milquetoast
cock, cocks, cocked, cocking, cocky, cockiness, walk, walks, walked