tin god

American  

[tin god] / ˈtɪn ˈgɒd /

noun

1. a self-important, dictatorial person in a position of authority, such as an employer, military officer, critic, or teacher.

2. a person who believes they are infallible and tries to impose judgments, beliefs, standards of behavior, etc., on subordinates.

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tin god British  

noun

1. a self-important dictatorial person

2. a person erroneously regarded as holy or venerable

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tin god Idioms  

1. A self-important, dictatorial, petty person who imposes ideas, beliefs, and standards on subordinates. For example, The officials in these small towns often act like tin gods. The tin in this expression alludes to the fact that tin is a base metal with relatively little value. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of tin god

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Its plausible air lasts until the final scenes; then the hero goes out of character and the picture goes off on a little sentimental jag to treat him like a tin god.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hite continued: "Your little tin god, Professor Herman Brierly, is spending the summer up in Canada, isn't he?"

From Death Points a Finger by Levinrew, Will

You say there was a light in the tent—I suppose Anson was there tinkering with his little tin god of a timepiece.

From The City of Numbered Days by Lynde, Francis

And as she thinks him a tin god on wheels, she ceased to argue.

From Set in Silver by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)

Being conscripted into this idiotic space fleet that never fights is bad enough without a tin god on jets like Slichow!

From The Talkative Tree by Fyfe, Horace Brown