800-pound gorilla
800-pound gorilla · 800-pound gorillas
An entity that dominates its environmentAn entity that dominates its environment.
Meaning
2 senses(idiomatic)An entity that dominates its environment.
Q: Where does an 800-pound gorilla sleep? A: Wherever it wants!
Back then, the mayor was an 800-pound gorilla in this town.
(idiomatic)Something dangerous, menacing, or frightening that is obvious but not addressed.
Near-synonyms: elephant in the room, emperor's new clothes
The mayor's abuse of his power was an 800-pound gorilla in polite conversation.
Origin
Attested since at least 1971, from a riddle: "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sleep?" / "AAttested since at least 1971, from a riddle: "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sleep?" / "Anywhere it wants."
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Forms
plural: 800-pound gorillas| Singular | 800-pound gorilla |
|---|---|
| Plural | 800-pound gorillas |
regular
Synonyms
4 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsRelatedparomologia