ENGLISH
REFERENCE

the king is dead, long live the king

idiom
Meaning

Said when someone has stepped down or something is succeeded by someone or something new that now has the most control, is the most popular, etc.


Examples
SIMPLE

The old manager left, so the king is dead, long live the king.

CONTEXTUAL

After the popular CEO resigned, the board appointed a new leader, effectively saying the king is dead, long live the king.

COMPLEX

As the long-standing political regime finally collapsed, the citizens gathered in the streets to declare that the king is dead, long live the king.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little of something goes a long way

    Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

  2. 02

    a week is a long time in politics

    In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.

  3. 03

    as the day is long

    Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.

  4. 04

    beat a dead horse

    To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.

  5. 05

    brown bread

    [Cockney slang]dead

  6. 06

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  7. 07

    come back from the dead

    To experience a resurgence after one's productive years are assumed to have ended.

  8. 08

    dead 'n' buried

    Contraction of dead and buried.

Last updated April 17, 2026