a top dog

USAGE SUMMARY

"a top dog" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to someone who is in a position of power or authority, often in a competitive context. Example: "In the corporate world, he is considered a top dog among his peers." Alternative expressions include "a leader," "the big cheese," or "the head honcho."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Owning a top dog isn't cheap.

The New York Times

"We don't need a top dog, we're all pulling together.

The New York Times

A top dog bites back (with a smile).

The New York Times

Quiz: Can you tell a popular baby name from a top dog name?

The Washington Post

How much difference would it make to your team to have a top dog who could stay on the tightrope?

Harvard Business Review

Did it have something to do with the pressure that comes with being a top dog in New York?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

There's the petty criminal who becomes a top-dog prison inmate and then an imam.

The New York Times - Books

AT&T is obviously a top-dog in the wireless industry, and stands to take the number one spot once its T-Mobile buyout comes to a close.

TechCrunch

"Animal Practice": Meet Dr. George Coleman Justin Kirkk), a top-dog New York veterinarian.

Huffington Post

America has a new top dog: King, a wire fox terrier, reigned supreme at the 143rd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show tonight, triumphing over 2,800 competitors to win Best in Show.

Forbes

Dinkins, after managing Mr. Dinkins's successful 1989 campaign for mayor, says that while he 'had a great time" as a municipal top dog, he lacks the vigor for that sort of toil again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this idiom for neutral or informal writing, as it may come across as too casual for academic papers or legal documents.

Common error

Writers sometimes use "a top dog" loosely when they simply mean a person with power. Ensure you are contrasting it correctly with an "underdog" if the context involves a struggle between ranks. Also, avoid using it to describe a literal dog unless that dog is specifically a champion in a show or competition.

How to use

Learn how to use "a top dog" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a top dog" functions as an idiomatic noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or a direct object within a sentence to identify an individual's rank. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to designate authority in a competitive environment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a top dog" is a robust and versatile idiom used to describe a leader or a person of significant influence. Analysis from Ludwig indicates that it is particularly prevalent in News & Media, where it serves as a shorthand for dominance in competitive fields like politics and business. While it is grammatically correct and widely understood, writers should be mindful of its idiomatic nature and opt for more literal alternatives like "the leader" in strictly formal academic or legal contexts. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that it remains a high-frequency, reliable expression for describing the person at the pinnacle of any hierarchy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the leader

Provides a more literal and neutral description of a person in charge

the head honcho

A more informal and colloquial way to describe the person in power

the big cheese

An idiomatic alternative that emphasizes importance within a group

a dominant figure

Shifts the focus to the influence and power exerted by the individual

the alpha

Uses biological or social hierarchy terminology to denote the highest rank

a front-runner

Commonly used in competitive contexts or elections to indicate the lead position

the kingpin

Often used in contexts involving organized structures or industries

a person in charge

A descriptive and plain English way to state authority

the boss

A direct and common term for someone in a position of authority

a high-ranking official

Much more formal and suitable for governmental or corporate reporting

FAQs

How to use "a top dog" in a sentence?

You can use "a top dog" to refer to a leader or the most powerful person in a group, for example: "After years of hard work, she finally became "a top dog" at the firm."

What is a synonym for "a top dog"?

Common synonyms include "the leader", "the head honcho", or "the big cheese".

What is the difference between "a top dog" and an underdog?

While "a top dog" is the person in the lead or in power, an ""underdog"" is someone who is expected to lose or has less power in a given situation.

Can "a top dog" be used in formal writing?

It is generally considered an idiom. For highly formal documents, it is better to use a phrase like "a leading figure" or "an executive".