gorilla

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a big, strong, and sometimes scary man who might be a guard or a bully.

n. a large, physically imposing, or brutish man, often implying a role as a thug or enforcer.

“The club owner hired a couple of gorillas to stand by the door and check IDs.”

“The politician was always flanked by a pair of silent gorillas who discouraged any journalists from approaching too closely.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a very large and powerful company that dominates its market.

n. a dominant person or organization within a specific field; a market leader with overwhelming influence.

“It is hard for a small startup to compete with a 500-pound gorilla like that tech giant.”

“The merger created an 800-pound gorilla in the telecommunications sector, effectively stifling competition for several years.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Slang

n. a slang term for one thousand pounds.

n. a slang term representing one thousand units of currency, specifically pounds sterling.

“The repairs on his car are going to cost him at least a gorilla.”

“He managed to sell the vintage motorbike for a couple of gorillas, which was more than he had originally expected.”