# outpope the Pope

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/outpope-the-pope
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To act as a more authentic member of a group than one who is actually a member of the group.

## Examples

- He tries to out-pope the Pope by following every rule strictly.
- The new employee is so eager to impress that he tries to out-pope the Pope by arriving an hour early every single day.
- In his desperate attempt to gain favor with the traditionalists, the convert often out-popes the Pope, displaying a level of zeal that even the most devout members find excessive.

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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.