captain

Related to captain: Military ranks

a Captain Cook

slang A brief glance or inspection; a look. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "Captain Cook" rhymes with "look." (Captain James Cook was an 18th-century British navigator.) Primarily heard in UK. I think you better take a Captain Cook at this—the entire file has been deleted! Can I have a Captain Cook at the map?
See also: captain, cook

Captain Obvious

A person who makes a statement or statements of such obvious meaning or implication as to be entirely redundant, superfluous, or unnecessary. Pauline: "The President has said that lower-class families are bearing the brunt of the recession worse than anyone else." Johnny: "Thank you, Captain Obvious!" A: "Your photos are out of focus because you didn't adjust the lens properly." B: "Wow, Captain Obvious strikes again!"
See also: captain, obvious

captain of industry

A wealthy and powerful person in the business world. Her family will never accept an unemployed artist like me—they expect her to marry a captain of industry. Do you want to come to the gala with me and hob-nob with some captains of industry?
See also: captain, industry, of

have a Captain Cook

slang To glance at or inspect (someone or something), especially in a quick, informal, or nonchalant manner; to take a look. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "Captain Cook" rhymes with "look." (Captain James Cook was an 18th-century British navigator.) Primarily heard in UK. I think you better have a Captain Cook at this—the entire file has been deleted! Can I have a Captain Cook at the map?
See also: captain, cook, have

take a Captain Cook

slang To glance at or inspect (someone or something), especially in a quick, informal, or nonchalant manner; to take a look. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "Captain Cook" rhymes with "look." (Captain James Cook was an 18th-century British navigator.) Primarily heard in UK. I think you better take a Captain Cook at this—the entire file has been deleted! Can I take a Captain Cook at the map?
See also: captain, cook, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

captain of industry

Fig. a high-ranking corporation officer; a wealthy and successful capitalist. The captains of industry manage to hang on to their money no matter what. It's fun to see those captains of industry drive up in their limousines.
See also: captain, industry, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

a captain of ˈindustry

a person who manages a large industrial company: He later moved to Seattle, where he became a well-known figure and captain of industry.
See also: captain, industry, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a Captain Cook
  • butcher
  • have a butcher's
  • have/take a butcher's
  • take a butcher's
  • look-see
  • have a look (at someone or something)
  • have a look-see
  • look on with
  • look on with (someone)
References in classic literature
Captain Wragge followed her to the garden gate, then stopped, struck by a new idea.
"A friend of yours?" inquired Captain Wragge, joining Magdalen at that moment.
No Name
"Oh, he don't want to be bothered with THAT," protested Captain Jim, who was secretly dying to show it.
"I should like nothing better than to see it, Captain Boyd," said Owen.
Annes House of Dreams
As they proceeded on their voyage and got into the smooth seas and pleasant weather of the tropics, other annoyances occurred to vex the spirit of the captain. He had been crossed by the irritable mood of one of the partners; he was now excessively annoyed by the good-humor of another.
This gossiping familiarity shocked the captain's notions of rank and subordination, and nothing was so abhorrent to him as the community of pipe between master and man, and their mingling in chorus in the outlandish boat-songs.
Astoria or Anecdotes of an enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountain
There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude or remark about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different at the Cottage: the young couple there were more disposed to speculate and wonder; and Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss Musgroves' company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to which was the one liked best.
Charles "had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war.
Persuasion
I ventured to knock at the door that opened into the Captain's room.
I entered, and found Captain Nemo deep in algebraical calculations of x and other quantities.
20000 Leagues Under The Sea
"I was engaged, sir, on what we call sealed orders, to sail this ship for that gentleman where he should bid me," said the captain. "So far so good.
"Next," said the captain, "I learn we are going after treasure--hear it from my own hands, mind you.
Treasure Island
"We are all pilots here, Captain, and I know every inch of these waters."
South Sea Tales
As soon as I perceived them go towards the shore, I imagined it to be as it really was that they had given over their search, and were going back again; and the captain, as soon as I told him my thoughts, was ready to sink at the apprehensions of it; but I presently thought of a stratagem to fetch them back again, and which answered my end to a tittle.
Robinson Crusoe
Their conversation was interrupted by the cries of several voices at the gate and by Morel, who came to say that some Wurttemberg hussars had come and wanted to put up their horses in the yard where the captain's horses were.
War and Peace