Idiom
keys to the kingdom
Meaning
A resource, usually information or knowledge, the possession of which gives the possessor access to power.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“The password gave her the keys to the kingdom.”
“This master key gives the security guard the keys to the kingdom.”
“You have the keys to the kingdom now that you own the database.”
“After the manager retired, he gave his assistant the keys to the kingdom by sharing all the company secrets.”
“Learning how to write computer code felt like being handed the keys to the kingdom because I could finally build my own apps.”
“The lead scientist holds the keys to the kingdom since she is the only person who knows the secret formula for the new medicine.”
“By gaining access to the encrypted files, the young hacker effectively held the keys to the kingdom, controlling the entire network's future.”
Examples
simple
“The password gave her the keys to the kingdom.”
“This master key gives the security guard the keys to the kingdom.”
“You have the keys to the kingdom now that you own the database.”
contextual
“After the manager retired, he gave his assistant the keys to the kingdom by sharing all the company secrets.”
“Learning how to write computer code felt like being handed the keys to the kingdom because I could finally build my own apps.”
“The lead scientist holds the keys to the kingdom since she is the only person who knows the secret formula for the new medicine.”
complex
“By gaining access to the encrypted files, the young hacker effectively held the keys to the kingdom, controlling the entire network's future.”
Origin
Originating from the concept of resources that were the means of obtaining control over an actual kingdom, i.e., a realm under the rulership of a king. Compare also King James Bible Matthew 16:19, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Key words
Related idioms
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