# tin god

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/tin-god
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The new manager acts like a tin god in the office.
- Everyone avoids the supervisor because he acts like a tin god, demanding total obedience for no reason.
- The local official ruled his small district like a tin god, ignoring the law to satisfy his own ego.

## Origin

From the figurative use of tin to denote a substance that is worthless or counterfeit in comparison to silver, combined with the application of god to describe a mere idol.

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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.