cock of the walk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Traditionally and almost exclusively, no. It is a heavily gendered metaphor based on a male rooster. To describe a similarly dominant woman, terms like 'queen bee' or simply 'dominant figure' would be more appropriate.

It is critical and pejorative, but not a swear word. It mocks someone's arrogance rather than attacking them on sensitive personal grounds. However, its gendered nature means applying it to a woman could be seen as odd or offensive.

'The walk' refers to a chicken run or enclosed yard where poultry are kept. The 'cock of the walk' is the dominant rooster strutting in that specific, confined territory, implying his dominance is limited to a small area.

It is understood but considered somewhat old-fashioned or literary. You are more likely to encounter it in books, films, or from older speakers than in casual, modern conversation among younger people, where 'alpha' or 'top dog' might be more current.

A person who dominates or is most assertive and conspicuous in a particular group, place, or situation.

Cock of the walk is usually informal, colloquial, slightly old-fashioned in register.

Cock of the walk: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒk əv ðə ˈwɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːk əv ðə ˈwɔːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.