cock of the walk

Noun

cock of the walk (plural cocks of the walk)

1. (idiomatic) A proud or conceited person.
   • c. 19th century, J. M. Crofts (attributed), The Irish Rover
     With his smart witty talk
     He was cock of the walk
     And he rolled the dames under and over
   • "That fellow was not born yesterday. He is the cock of the walk here," said Peter; "I shouldn't wonder if it is our old friend himself." Three more birds came in, and as each took up his roosting place, the old bird repeated his challenge by snapping his beak at them.1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 71

   Synonyms:

   cock of the roost, rooster