power trip
Medium-HighInformal, often pejorative, colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
A period or situation where an individual, often in a position of authority, engages in an excessive and often aggressive display of their power, deriving personal pleasure or satisfaction from controlling, intimidating, or dominating others.
More broadly, can refer to any situation where a person experiences and indulges in a heightened sense of control or superiority, sometimes without formal authority, leading to self-aggrandizing or bullying behavior.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions almost exclusively as a countable noun phrase. The term inherently carries a negative judgment, describing abuse or intoxication with power rather than its legitimate exercise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and usage are identical. The term is equally common and carries the same connotations in both varieties.
Connotations
Uniformly negative, implying petty, self-serving, and egotistical behavior.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media and political commentary, but well-established in UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is on a power trip.[Subject] went/got on a power trip.[Subject]'s power trip is [adjective].It's just a power trip.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critiquing a manager who micromanages and makes arbitrary decisions to assert dominance.
Academic
Used in sociology or political science discussions on the psychology of authority.
Everyday
Describing a neighbour who becomes overzealous as the head of a residents' association.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts; belongs to social/psychological commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard; the noun form is used. One might say 'He's power-tripping' informally, but it's slangy and derived.)
American English
- (See British note. The derived verb 'to power-trip' is very informal.)
adverb
British English
- (Nonexistent.)
American English
- (Nonexistent.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. The attributive use is rare, e.g., 'a power-trip mentality'.)
American English
- (Same as British.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The new guard was on a power trip and wouldn't let anyone in.
- The team leader is on a bit of a power trip, always checking our emails.
- After his promotion, he embarked on a ridiculous power trip, changing minor policies just to show he could.
- The committee's proceedings were derailed by the chairman's latest power trip, an exercise in vanity rather than governance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a literal trip (journey) someone takes when they get a taste of power—they get carried away and lose perspective.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS A DRUG / POWER IS AN INTOXICATING JOURNEY. The user is 'high' on power and 'tripping' (behaving irrationally).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "силовая поездка". The correct conceptual equivalent is "злоупотребление властью" or more colloquially "зажимание власти" or "кайф от власти".
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He power tripped yesterday' is non-standard).
- Confusing it with 'ego trip' (which is broader, not necessarily involving power over others).
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best describes someone on a 'power trip'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is exclusively used as a criticism. There is no positive or neutral usage.
The primary form is a noun phrase. The verb 'to power-trip' exists in very casual slang but is non-standard and less common.
A 'power trip' specifically involves the misuse of authority or control over others. An 'ego trip' is broader, involving any self-centered behavior aimed at boosting one's ego, not necessarily involving authority over others.
No, it is informal and colloquial. In formal writing, alternatives like 'abuse of power' or 'authoritarian behavior' are preferred.