top dog: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, often metaphorical
Quick answer
What does “top dog” mean?
The person, group, or thing that is the most important, powerful, or successful in a particular area or competition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The person, group, or thing that is the most important, powerful, or successful in a particular area or competition.
The undisputed leader, champion, or dominant force in a hierarchy, field, or contest. Also implies a position achieved through competition or assertion of dominance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The term is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in competitive business or sporting contexts in AmE. In BrE, may have a slightly more ironic or colloquial tone.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “top dog” in a Sentence
[to be] top dog[to be] top dog of/in/at [domain][to play/act] top dogVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “top dog” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always trying to top dog his colleagues in meetings.
- After the promotion, she started top dogging the entire department.
American English
- You can't just walk in and try to top dog everyone.
- He top dogged his way through the negotiation.
adverb
British English
- He behaves top-dog whenever he's in charge.
- She ran the project top-dog, ignoring all input.
American English
- They operate top-dog, crushing any competition.
- He acted top-dog during the entire client pitch.
adjective
British English
- She has a real top-dog attitude since winning the award.
- It's a top-dog firm in the consultancy world.
American English
- That top-dog company just got hit with an antitrust lawsuit.
- He walked in with a top-dog swagger.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe the market leader or most dominant company. 'After the merger, they became the top dog in pharmaceuticals.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in sociological texts discussing hierarchies or in historical analyses of competition.
Everyday
Used to talk about who's in charge or most successful in a group, team, or local context. 'In our chess club, Maria is the top dog.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “top dog”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “top dog”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “top dog”
- Using it in overly formal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'big dog', which implies importance but not necessarily supremacy.
- Using it as a verb without 'play' or 'act' (e.g., 'He top dogs the team' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal. Avoid using it in very formal writing or speeches.
Yes. You can refer to a company, a product, or even a country as the 'top dog' in its field (e.g., 'the top dog smartphone', 'the top dog in renewable energy').
The most common opposite is 'underdog', which refers to a person or group expected to lose in a competition.
Not necessarily. It primarily indicates a position of dominance or success. The connotation (positive/neutral/negative) depends on context. It can be used admiringly ('He earned his spot as top dog') or critically ('He acts like a top dog').
The person, group, or thing that is the most important, powerful, or successful in a particular area or competition.
Top dog: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɒp ˈdɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɑːp ˈdɔːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play top dog”
- “to the victor/go the spoils (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pack of dogs. The one at the TOP of the pile, looking down on the others, is the TOP DOG.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS WAR / HIERARCHY IS PHYSICAL DOMINANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'top dog' be LEAST appropriate?