ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tin god

idiom
Meaning

A false god, particularly a petty tyrant, a person who abuses or exceeds their authority over others in petty ways.


Origin

disputed origin

From tin's figurative sense as "worthless" or "counterfeit" in relation to silver and god's use for idols.

Examples
SIMPLE

The new manager acts like a tin god in the office.

CONTEXTUAL

Everyone avoids the supervisor because he acts like a tin god, demanding total obedience for no reason.

COMPLEX

The local official ruled his small district like a tin god, ignoring the law to satisfy his own ego.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bow down before the porcelain god

    Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl”).

  2. 02

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  3. 03

    do exactly what it says on the tin

    To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

  4. 04

    God forbid

    indicating that the occurrence of something is very undesirable

  5. 05

    God forfend

    Don't let it be.

  6. 06

    God is in the detail

    Expresses the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.

  7. 07

    god that failed

    A notable let-down or flop; a concept, product, or person that has failed to live up to very high expectations.

  8. 08

    good God

    Expression of surprise, outrage, or horror.

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