a tin god

(little) tin god

A pompous person. My attraction for him waned after he spent the entire evening acting like a little tin god. Everyone on the school board acts like a tin god. It's so irritating!
See also: god, tin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a tin god

or

a little tin god

mainly BRITISH, LITERARY
If someone behaves like a tin god or like a little tin god, they behave as if they are much more important and powerful than they really are. So what are his qualifications for acting like a little tin god?
See also: god, tin
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • little tin god
  • (little) tin god
  • tin god
  • tin cow
  • tin dog
  • roof
  • little
  • put the tin hat on (something)
  • put the tin lid on (something)
  • put the tin lid on something