power trip

noun

, Slang.

1. an act or instance of exerting one's power, authority, or influence:

   a new supervisor on a power trip.

Word History and Origins

Origin of power trip¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The armorer in the calls referred to jurors in her criminal case as “idiots,” and said that Sommer was on a "power trip."

From Salon

The call summaries include Ms. Gutierrez-Reed saying that the judge was on a “power trip” and alleging, without evidence, that the judge was “getting paid off.”

From New York Times

“Americans are making our voices heard and we believe medical decisions are between a patient and doctor — not a patient and a GOP politician on a power trip.”

From Washington Times

They wanted to show that religion-based polygamy didn’t have to be some patriarchal power trip.

From Washington Post

At times, the team seemed to exhibit more swagger — the power trip that came with arresting dozens of Americans a year — than tactical prowess.

From Washington Post