King of the hill

Meaning

The idiom "king of the hill" refers to someone who is dominant, powerful or in a position of authority in their field or industry. It can also refer to someone who has achieved a significant level of success or recognition.

Usage

• As a CEO, John has proven himself as the king of the hill in the tech industry.
• Sarah's acting skills have made her the undisputed queen of the hill in Hollywood.
• After years of hard work and dedication, Michael has become the top-selling author in his genre and is truly the king of the hill.
• The new CEO's vision for the company has been met with resistance from employees who still see their previous boss as the true king of the hill.
• Despite facing many challenges, Maria's perseverance has allowed her to become the undisputed leader in the field and truly earn her title as the queen of the hill.

Roots and History

The idiom "king of the hill" dates back to medieval times when the highest point on a hill was considered the most valuable and sought-after position. Over time, the phrase has evolved to refer to someone who is dominant in their field or industry. There are no significant changes in meaning or usage over time.

Synonyms in English

• Top dog
• Queen bee
• Heavyweight
• Ace of spades
• Alpha male/female

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: rey de la montaña (king of the mountain)
• French: roi du mont (king of the mountain)
• German: König des Berges (king of the mountain)
• Italian: re dei collini (king of the hills)
• Japanese: 山の王様 (queen of the mountains)

Similar Idioms

• kill time

• ducks and drakes

• the ball is in your court