Top dog
What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase or expression. They are tricky to understand as their meanings do not directly relate to the individual words used in the phrase.
Definition:
The English idiom "top dog" refers to a person, group, or organization that is in a position of authority, power, or leadership. It means someone who is the best, most successful, or most dominant in a particular area. The "top dog" is the one who holds the highest rank or position in a competition or hierarchy.
Origin:
The origin of the phrase comes from the 19th century and may be related to sawmill work. The "top dog" was the person who worked on the top of a log during cutting, a more prestigious and skilled position than the person working underneath. Over time, it came to symbolize anyone in a position of power or leadership.
Examples:
Today the idiom is used in everyday contexts to refer to someone who is in charge, the leader, or the most successful person in a particular area. It’s still popular and is often used in competitive environments like business and sports.
Here are examples of how the idiom can be used in sentences:
Business context:
"Elon Musk is the top dog at Tesla."
"After years of hard work, she became the top dog at the company, taking the position of CEO."
Sports context:
"The team has been the top dog in the league for five years straight, winning every championship."
"After defeating all their rivals, they proved they were the top dog in the competition."
Social context:
"Taylor Swift is the top dog in the music industry right now."
"In their group of friends, Jake is the top dog—everyone looks up to him and follows his lead."
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