tin god
1
9.1
- noun
- /tɪn ɡɑd/
- Offensive
:
mandamás
- After his promotion, he started behaving like a tin god, dismissing everyone's opinions.
Examples
-
Many people believe the politician is just a tin god who cares only about his own image.
-
He listens to you like you were a tin god.
-
The manager acts like a tin god, ignoring any suggestions from the staff.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A small-time gambler who brags but has little skill or money
A person treated as if they had great power and importance by other people
Antonyms
How Self-Important
8
9.9
- Offensive
1
9.1
260
4.5
13
5.8
715
2.5
222
2.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
tin + god
The phrase relies on a metaphorical contrast between 'tin' (a cheap, base metal) and 'god' (a supreme being), so while a learner who knows both words might guess it signals a 'small or fake god', the specific sense of an arrogantly self-important person is not directly predictable. The meaning depends on cultural/metaphorical inference rather than straightforward composition, making it only partially transparent to a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
Tin god comes from the image of a small statue that looks like a god but is made of cheap metal, tin, so it seems important but is actually weak. That's why the phrase describes someone who acts 'very important' or 'in control' but really has little real power.