turkey-cock

A man struts about like a turkey-cock.

Definition

Noun:
- A male turkey: "turkey-cock" refers specifically to the adult male of the domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), known for its larger size, fan-shaped tail, and distinctive gobbling call.
- A pompous or self-important person: In figurative use, "turkey-cock" describes a person who behaves with exaggerated pride, arrogance, or ostentatious self-importance.

Usage Examples

A male turkey:
- The turkey-cock strutted across the farmyard, puffing out its feathers. (The male turkey moved proudly, displaying itself.)
- We raised a turkey-cock for the holiday feast, but it was too tough to eat. (The adult male bird was kept for cooking.)
A pompous person:
- He walked into the meeting like a turkey-cock, expecting everyone to admire his new suit. (He acted arrogantly and self-importantly.)
- Don't be such a turkey-cock; no one is impressed by your boasting. (Stop showing off with excessive pride.)

Advanced Usage

"to strut like a turkey-cock": to walk or behave in an overly proud, showy manner.
- After winning the award, he strutted like a turkey-cock through the office. (He paraded with exaggerated self-importance.)
"turkey-cock pride": excessive, foolish vanity or arrogance.
- His turkey-cock pride made him refuse to admit his mistake. (His excessive arrogance prevented him from acknowledging error.)

Variants and Related Words

Turkey (n): the domestic bird (male or female) or, informally, a foolish person.
- We had turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. (The bird as food.)
Cock (n): a male bird, especially of domestic fowl.
- The cock crowed at dawn. (The male rooster.)

Synonyms

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

"Like a turkey-cock": behaving with pompous pride.
- He puffed out his chest like a turkey-cock after the compliment. (He acted boastfully.)
"To play the turkey-cock": to act arrogantly or ostentatiously.
- Stop playing the turkey-cock and join the conversation humbly. (Stop showing off.)

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