APAD: cock of the walk

Definition

   dominant, overly confident person

 

Examples

   1) Reese struts around the office like he's the cock of the walk - a company CEO.

   2) Ever since he won the championship, Jack has been acting like the cock of

      the walk.

 

Etymology

   Roosters often display dominance and aggression among the chickens.

 

Synonyms

   overbearing, dominating, head honcho

 

- englishdaily626.com [edited]

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The CEO Paul, a hulky Brit in his late 50s, never acted like the cock of the

walk in the office. When the south bay software firm was taken private and he

had to answer to a brood of vultures, he turned even more mellow. His windowless

room was located at the center on the first floor. Not a techie, he appeared in

the engineering quarter often, greeted the rank and file at the upstairs waterhole,

and sat in their meetings trying to learn. He posted daily from his life

experiences, always positive and motivating, and stayed for two more years

before retiring from the job a decent bloke.

 

The incumbent CEO of corporate America, however, may still be remembered a

nonce no matter how much he distracted the people and was puffed up like the

cock of the walk.