high muckamuck
Definition
Noun: An important, influential, and often arrogant or overbearing person. The term implies someone who holds a position of power or high status and may act in a self-important or pompous manner.
Usage
This word is a noun used to describe a person, typically in informal or slightly humorous contexts. It often carries a critical or mocking tone, suggesting the person's importance is coupled with an inflated sense of self.
Examples
- The new high muckamuck from the head office is visiting next week, so everyone is nervous.
- He strutted around the party like a real high muckamuck, expecting everyone to listen to him.
- You'll need approval from the high muckamucks on the board before we can proceed with the project.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in the plural ("high muckamucks") to refer collectively to people in authority or management.
- It can be used with qualifiers like "local," "corporate," or "political" to specify the domain of influence (e.g., "the local political high muckamucks").
Variants and Related Words
- High-muck-a-muck: An alternative spelling.
- Muckety-muck (or muck-a-muck): A more common modern variant with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- Bigwig
- Big shot
- VIP (Very Important Person)
- Pooh-bah (especially one holding multiple offices)
- Grandee
- Dignitary (more formal and less critical)
Idioms and Related Phrases
- The powers that be: A related phrase for people in authority, but less personal and mocking than "high muckamuck."
- Top brass: Military-inspired slang for high-ranking officials.
Noun
-
an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
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