cock of the walk

One who is arrogant and narcissistic. Don't invite Joe to lunch unless you want to hear him brag about all the important things he's doing in his new job. He's just the cock of the walk lately.

someone who acts more important than others in a group. The deputy manager was cock of the walk until the new manager arrived. He loved acting cock of the walk and ordering everyone about.

A conceited, bossy person, as in Since his last promotion he's been acting like the cock of the walk-he's unbearable. This expression alludes to the rooster's proud strut about the barnyard, asserting his rule over hens and chicks. [Mid-1800s]

If you describe someone as cock of the walk, you mean that they are proud, confident and successful. Back then I had fame and fortune and I thought I was cock of the walk. Note: This expression is often used to show disapproval. Note: This expression comes from the idea of one male hen among many female hens.

An overbearing or domineering person.

The leader in a group, especially one who is quite conceited about the position. The term comes from animal husbandry, where an enclosure for domestic fowl was called a walk, and in that area they would fight for supremacy until only one remained—the supreme leader, or cock of the walk. The strutting pride of roosters had been transferred to bossy, conceited human beings for much longer, but the precise term cock of the walk in this sense dates only from the early nineteenth century.