Definition

1. Noun:
   • The most important person in a group or undertaking: The individual who holds the highest rank, authority, or leadership position.
   • The leading comedian in a burlesque show: Historically, the principal comedian in a burlesque or vaudeville act.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Most Important Person):

  • After the merger, she became the top banana at the new corporation.
  • In any project, you need to get approval from the top banana.

• Noun (Leading Comedian):

  • The top banana delivered his punchline to uproarious laughter from the audience.
  • He worked for years as a second banana before finally becoming the top banana of the show.

Advanced Usage

• The term is informal and often used in business or organizational contexts to refer to the boss or CEO in a somewhat humorous or irreverent way.
  • Everyone was nervous when the top banana decided to sit in on the meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Second banana (noun): A person who is subordinate to the leader; the supporting comedian in a burlesque show.
  • He was content being the second banana, handling the operational details.

Synonyms

• Leader
• Boss
• Head honcho (informal)
• Chief

Related Idioms

• The big cheese: Another informal idiom for the most important person.
  • If you have a complaint, you'll have to talk to the big cheese.

Noun

1. the most important person in a group or undertaking
2. the leading comedian in a burlesque show