bully pulpit

[bool-ee pool-pit, puhl-pit]

noun

1. a position of authority or public visibility, especially a political office, from which one may express one's views.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bully pulpit¹

First recorded in 1905–10; from a remark made by President Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the U.S. 1901–09, in reference to the White House, “I suppose my critics will call that preaching, but I have got such a bully pulpit!”

Example Sentences

“I don’t fault you for that … but you do have a weapon — it’s a bully pulpit.”

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He demonstrated anew his eagerness to divide and conquer and, with swagger, put the bully into bully pulpit.

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Most people don’t have the resources or the bully pulpit of a pope.

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The witch hunt quickly became more about punishing anyone who defied the bully pulpit than with tracking down actual Communist Party members.

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The president seemed to enjoy putting the "bully" in the presidential bully pulpit.

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