tin god

[ tin god ]

noun

1. a self-important, dictatorial person in a position of authority, such as an employer, military officer, critic, or teacher.
2. a person who believes they are infallible and tries to impose judgments, beliefs, standards of behavior, etc., on subordinates.

tin god

noun

1. a self-important dictatorial person
2. a person erroneously regarded as holy or venerable

Word History and Origins

Origin of tin god¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Idioms and Phrases

A self-important, dictatorial, petty person who imposes ideas, beliefs, and standards on subordinates. For example, The officials in these small towns often act like tin gods . The tin in this expression alludes to the fact that tin is a base metal with relatively little value. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

A little tin god has a pleasant time of it, no doubt, until the coming of the eighteen carat gold idol.

From Project Gutenberg

A week or two more and the "little tin god" would go down off his wheels.

From Project Gutenberg

"Oh, your little tin god on wheels is not the only one," replied Helena, the astute.

From Project Gutenberg

The Boss pirate was shot by me—a big six foot Northern Chinee, got up, to kill, like a tin god.

From Project Gutenberg

His prime predilection was Lamont, of whom, their mutual acquaintances were wont to pronounce, he made a little tin god on wheels.

From Project Gutenberg