# there is a new sheriff in town

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/there-is-a-new-sheriff-in-town
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A new individual has come to power and will be making changes.

## Examples

- The new manager says there is a new sheriff in town.
- After the company was bought, the new boss announced there is a new sheriff in town and changed all the rules.
- When the new director arrived, he made it clear that there is a new sheriff in town by replacing the entire leadership team on his first day.

## Origin

Meant to evoke the image of a traditional Southern or Western U.S. town having a new sheriff come to power and shake things up for the town.

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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.