# lord it over

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lord-it-over
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To behave as if one is in control of; to make a display of having an advantage over or superiority to.

## Examples

- He likes to lord it over his younger brother.
- She got a promotion and now she tries to lord it over everyone in the office.
- Despite his lack of actual authority, he continued to lord it over his colleagues, creating a tense and resentful atmosphere in the department.

## Origin

From lord over.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.