rule the roost
English
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Chambers says rule the roast was the original form.”)
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Verb
- (idiomatic) To be the controlling member(s) of a family, organization, or other group.
- 1857, Anthony Trollope, Barchester Towers, ch. 3:
- His was biding his time, and patiently looking forward to the days when he himself would sit authoritative at some board, and talk and direct, and rule the roost, while lesser stars sat round and obeyed.
- Note: Some copies have "rule the roast" in this passage.
- His was biding his time, and patiently looking forward to the days when he himself would sit authoritative at some board, and talk and direct, and rule the roost, while lesser stars sat round and obeyed.
- 1915, John Galsworthy, The Freelands, ch. 16:
- Felix (nothing if not modern) had succumbed already to the feeling that youth ruled the roost.
- 2004, Kate Betts, "9 Rei Kawakubo", Time, Feb 16.:
- At that moment in fashion, French couturiers ruled the roost.
- 1857, Anthony Trollope, Barchester Towers, ch. 3:
Synonyms
See also
Translations
Translations
|