top dog


noun

a person, group, or nation that has acquired a position of highest authority.
the winner of a competition or rivalry; champion: He was determined to be top dog at the swimming meet.
Animal Behavior. the alpha male or alpha female in a dominance hierarchy.

Origin of top dog

First recorded in 1885–1900

OTHER WORDS FROM top dog

top-dog, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for top dog

British Dictionary definitions for top dog

top dog

noun

informal the leader or chief of a group

Idioms and Phrases with top dog

top dog

see top banana.