king of the castle

Reigning over all

King of the castle describes someone in a position of dominance or control, especially in their own domain.

The phrase comes from a children's game where one player defends a high point while others try to displace them.

It often carries a note of smugness or territorial pride: He acts like king of the castle whenever his wife's away.

Related

palace · monarch · children's game · ruler · alpha male · status · pecking order · fortress · dominance · majesty · regal · competition · playground · superiority · mound · hill climb · hide-and-seek · power

Opposites
dominance/status

king of the castleunderdog

Presumed loser beforehand

lowest of the low · doormat · peon · peasant · servant

security/vulnerability

king of the castledethroned

Removed from power

loser · has-been · fallen from grace · outcast

success/achievement

king of the castleloser

Defeated competitor

also-ran · runner-up · defeated · failure · washout

Family

king, kings, kingly, kingship, kinghood, kingless, kinglike, kingmaker, kingdom

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G